Man who Struck, Killed MI FF Incompetent to Stand Trial

A Lansing man accused of striking and killing a firefighter last year as he collected donations has been ruled incompetent to stand trial.

Lansing Firefighter Dennis Rodeman, 35, was killed as he and his co-workers participated in a Fill the Boot campaign on a city street.

Grant Taylor, 23, facing murder and other charges, is being held in a county jail because there is no room for him in a psychiatric facility, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Witnesses said Taylor was angry that firefighters were blocking traffic. He drove away, but returned and allegedly intentionally struck Rodeman, a former Marine.

Taylor, who has a history of mental illness, was found competent to stand trial last year before his preliminary hearing. But, his court-appointed attorney asked for another evaluation.

"I'm pretty confident he'll be returned to competency," Chief Deputy Assistant Prosecuting Attorney John Dewane told reporters after the hearing. 

But, the Aug. 15 trial is on hold for now.