Man charged with killing parents to stay in mental hospital

CASTLE DALE — A man accused of fatally shooting his parents will remain in a state mental hospital after a judge ruled Tuesday that he is still incompetent to stand trial.

Seventh District Judge George Harmond said that according to doctors, Peter Sharp, 26, does not have the mental capacity to warrant a trial.

During the hearing, Sharp stood before the judge handcuffed and sober but did not speak. Under Utah law, state mental health officials must continue to evaluate Sharp and submit a report to the court every six months.

Prosecutors were quick to point out that the state's report indicated Sharp may be found competent in the next six to 12 months after doctors change his prescribed medication, but Sharp's lawyer said nothing is certain.

Even if Sharp were to eventually be found competent, the rulings so far highlight the fact that he was not responsible for his actions on the day his parents died, said defense attorney David Allred.

"I thinks it's obvious he was suffering mentally when this happened," Allred said after the hearing. "If this ever happened to come to trial, then that would certainly be his defense."

Sharp is accused of shooting his parents, William and Charmain Sharp, to death with a shotgun on Oct. 21, 2009, at the Castle Dale home they shared. He is charged with two counts of aggravated murder, a first-degree felony, and aggravated assault, a third-degree felony.

At the time, Sharp's uncle told the Deseret News that Sharp had suffered mental damage in a car accident several years ago.

— Josh Smith