NORTHAMPTON — A judge on Tuesday authorized a public defender to hire medical experts to assess the competency of a 21-year-old autistic Belchertown man accused of trying to kill his mother last fall, as well as whether the criminal charges correspond with his mother’s injuries.
Zachary Holmes faces charges of attempted murder and armed assault after allegedly stabbing his mother, Joann, 53, repeatedly in the stomach, back and wrists, police said. Holmes remains jailed without bail.
Joann has insisted repeatedly that she never wanted her son to be charged and said she is his most ardent supporter.
Before the hearing began in Hampshire Superior Court, the man turned his head over his right shoulder and smiled at his mother, who sat close behind him.
“Hi, Mom,” he said.
Joann Holmes leaned over the courtroom bench toward her son. For five minutes, they talked about comforting topics: She makes a point of watching “Thomas the Tank Engine”on TV every Saturday morning at the same time as he does in jail, where she is not currently allowed to visit. For Christmas, he told her, he’d like an iPad so he can play the game “Angry Birds.”
After that conversation, Joann smiled widely and her face flushed a deep red for the rest of the short hearing.
Shortly after, Joann said the courtroom exchange was the first time she’d talked to her son since the night in September when police took him away. “I’m still smiling just to be able to have had that conversation.”
At Tuesday’s hearing, Judge Mary-Lou Rup allowed for the funds requested by public defender Alfred Chamberland to hire a medical expert and a forensic psychologist, costing $5,000 and $3,500 respectively.
A forensic pathologist will be hired to review Joann’s medical records and determine whether the charges against Zachary accurately reflect the extent of her injuries, Chamberland said outside court.
The second expert is a forensic psychologist who specializes in individuals with autism. That expert, Chamberland said, will address Zachary’s competency to understand the charges against and participate in his defense. The expert will also assess whether Zachary’s statements to police were freely given.
Rup ruled in February that Zachary could be released from jail and enter a specialized treatment center if the Department of Developmental Services evaluated the man and found an appropriate placement.
DDS officials were still working to determine a time to evaluate Zachary and potentially place him in a center, Chamberland said in an interview.
After the hearing Friday, Joann trailed the court officers as they led her son out of the courtroom and back to jail.
“Zachary,” she called out to him, “I didn’t even cry today.”
Michael Majchrowicz can be reached at mmajchrowicz@gazettenet.com.