He is charged with the murder of his father
Frederick, Md (KM) A Frederick man accused of the murder of his father underwent another competency hearing on Monday in Frederick County Circuit Court. Sean Shifflet, 37, is charged with 1st-degree murder for the death of Terry Shifflet, 66, in April, 2021.
Frederick County State’s Attorney Charlie Smith says Sean Shifflet was indicted for the murder. He entered a plea in May, 2021 of not competent, not guilty and not criminally responsible due to a mental disorder. That means he could not appreciate the criminality of the charges against, him, and conform his conduct to the requirements of the law.
A month later, Shifflet was found not competent by a Maryland Department of Health psychologist. His status has been fluid since then. Shifflet is currently being held at the Clifton T. Perkins Hospital in Jessup.
“Unfortunately, for us, he was found what they call ‘not restorable,'” Smith says. “Which means that nothing .
will change. That they’re not going undergo any further competency findings, and that they’re going hold him at the Department of Mental Health Clifton T. Perkins Hospital indefinitely.”
Smith says his office is seeking an indefinite civil commitment for Shifflet. “Because we believe he’s a danger to the public. We asked him to be what they call civilly committed indefinitely And so that’s what the hearing was about was a civil commitment,” says Smith. “So we’re hoping to get that finding for an indefinite civil commitment.”
If his current situation changes, Smith says his office is ready to prosecute Shifflet. “Our criminal case will remain pending. The court could dismiss the criminal case. We have a right to challenge that. But we’re keeping the case on the books so to speak,” he says.
By Kevin McManus