Richmond woman not competent for trial in neglect death of 5-year-old

A Richmond judge agreed today with a psychologist that a city woman is not competent to stand trial for felony child neglect in the shooting death of her five-year-old granddaughter.

Circuit Judge Richard D. Taylor Jr. ordered that Judy Wright attend outpatient treatment to be restored to competency, and he scheduled a hearing on Jan. 12 for an update on her status.

Also today, Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael N. Herring said he would not bring charges against Wright’s son, then 10, who shot and killed his five-year-old niece, Dominique Carter, with a gun that belonged to his mother. 

Dominique was shot on Aug. 12 in Wright’s home in the 2400 block of M St. in the East End.  Dominique was struck in the head by a bullet and died the next day at VCU Medical Center. Authorities said the boy told police he found a gun inside a bag in the home.

Herring said he had been leaning toward prosecuting the boy but had concluded the child would not understand the court proceeding and be able to assist in his defense. The prosecutor also said today it would have been difficult to prove that the boy understood the consequences of what he was doing when he pulled the trigger.

The 10-year-old boy is in the custody of state social services.

Wright, 41, is charged with felony child neglect. If convicted, she faces up to five years in prison.