KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kylr Yust, the man accused of killing Kara Kopetsky and Jessica Runions, has requested an additional competency evaluation, according to court documents filed this week in Cass County.
Through his attorney, Yust requested that the Cass County Jail’s medical provider conduct an examination and “provide the required mental health treatment as ordered.”
“The continued failure to adequately treat Mr. Yust's anxiety and depression could contribute to additional delay in this matter, or, result in a mistrial,” court documents state. “Due to the fluid nature of competence, it is this scenario that the Department of Mental Health examiners seek to avoid in their recommendation that Mr. Yust be evaluated for placement on medication to control his psychiatric symptoms.”
In October, Yust’s counsel filed an objection to a report from the Department of Mental Health that indicated Yust was “competent to assist in his defense,” while also stated that he see a mental health professional “for appropriate treatment of his mental health condition.”
“The examiners were specifically concerned that Mr. Yust may decompensate prior to trial, or during trial,” documents filed Tuesday state. “Treatment would help ensure Mr. Yust's mental health symptoms do not cause further complications with the adjudication of this case.”
An evaluation in August determined that Yust has anxiety and depression.
