Drag Performer's Killer Ruled Incompetent For Trial

[COLUMBUS, OH] - The man accused of killing a 31 year old gay Columbus man with a samurai sword has been found mentally incompetent to stand trial.

Gary McMurtry, 35 was well known in the Columbus gay community, regularly performing in drag as "Brazon" and held several titles including Miss Gay Columbus and Miss Gay Ohio. The night of May 17, McMurtry's roommate Brian Bass, 45, called 911 saying a man dressed in black wearing a 'ninja outfit' had entered his home. Bass said that he had heard McMurtry scream for help. When police arrived at the scene they found McMurty near death and Bass also bleeding from a knife wound. McMurtry died a short while later in hospital. Bass was treated for minor wounds and released from the medical center.

Michael Jennings, 31, a part time stripper, was arrested in May and charged with murder. Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Beverly Pfeiffer has committed Jennings to a mental health center for up to a year. If he is ever ruled competent to stand trial he could, if convicted, face the death penalty.