Alleged Hudson Valley Killer Deemed Unfit to Stand Trial

On the day before his second-degree murder trial was set to begin, Mark Carpino has been deemed incompetent to stand trail.

According to the Times Herald Record, Ulster County Judge Don Williams reviewed reports from two psychiatrists who both said the 55-year-old doesn’t have a “reasoned understanding” of what is happening. Williams has recommitted Carpino to a State mental facility until he can be ruled fit to stand trial.

Carpino is charged with second degree murder. In April of 2014, he allegedly killed his 86-year-old mother, Audrey Carpino, by hitting her in the head with a hammer. Kingston police say the incident happened at a home they shared in Kingston at 122 West Chester Street.

Carpino’s public defender told Judge Williams that for weeks Carpino has been unfocused and not helpful to his own defense.  He’s also been writing mostly unreadable letters addressed to a funeral home in Kingston. His lawyer adds he’s been focused mostly on his own death and how he will be buried.

This marks the second time since his arrest that Carpino has been deemed unfit to stand trial. After his arrest on April 5^th of last year, the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office hired a Forensic Psychiatrist who diagnosed Carpino with schizoaffective bipolar-type disorder.