Mental health issues are at the center of the homicide case against Todd Walters.
On Wednesday, Indiana County President Judge William Martin ordered all court proceedings against Walters stayed and cancelled Walters’ scheduled appearance today for Criminal Call. The 38-year-old Walters is charged with the death of his mother, 72-year-old retired IUP Professor Ruth Shirey at her home on Diamond Avenue in Indiana in February of 2015. Shirey was declared dead at IRMC a few hours after she was found in her home by police. Walters was picked up driving his mother’s car just outside Altoona later that day.
Indiana County District Attorney Patrick Dougherty says mental health issues are the reason for another delay in the court proceedings. There may be another metal health evaluation requested by the defense.
Walters has gone through several mental health evaluations and in August of 2015, was ordered to undergo treatment at Torrance State Hospital. Just last year, Judge Martin declared him competent to stand trial.
