ELKHART — An Elkhart judge has ordered Amber Pasztor to have a mental competency evaluation, and the prosecutor in the case is warning of a possible long delay.
Judge Terry Shewmaker also read Prosecutor Curtis Hill’s amended charge that seeks life without parole for Pasztor, according to the Elkhart Truth.
Chief Deputy Prosecutor Vicki Becker told the Elkhart Truth that the request is “not abnormal” and is “something that has to be explored.” She says the process for evaluating Pasztor could take 60 to 90 days. If the two health professionals evaluating her determine she needs further treatment, Becker says the case “could take months or years” depending on “what they determine in the evaluation.”
Her public defender believes that Pasztor can’t fully comprehend the proceedings or even help defend herself. He’s also concerned about whether she’s taking the charges seriously.
As it stands now, Pasztor has a jury trial set for Jan. 23.
The 29-year-old faces two murder counts in the September 26th killings of 7-year-old Liliana Hernandez and 6-year-old Rene Pasztor. Court documents say Pasztor admitted to smothering her two children after abducting them from their home in Fort Wayne.
