Suspected violent crimes are issues that are naturally laden with emotion. That can infringe on a rational pursuit of justice. The legal system in Connecticut, while an adversarial one, is intended to provide a forum in which residents can be assured that justice is dispensed after objective deliberation.

Anyone facing serious charges stemming from alleged domestic violence face a particularly negative atmosphere in the courts. That's why it is so important to have an experienced attorney speaking strongly on their behalf and protecting their rights. This can be especially crucial in cases in which the mental capacity of the defendant comes into question. Whether conditions warrant consideration of an affirmative defense of mental disease or defect, or whether a person is capable of contributing to their own defense, are matters that need careful handling.

Just such due diligence appears to be being employed in the case of a New Britain man charged with beating his mother to death. The man appeared in court last week to face charges of felony murder, first-degree robbery and third-degree larceny. In the course of his arraignment last Friday in Bristol, court officials agreed to have the defendant undergo a mental competency evaluation.

The basis of that action was a declaration by the defense that the man has a history of schizophrenia. The man's representative also asked the court to place the 34-year-old man in Garner Correctional Institution in Newtown, for treatment of his illness. Besides granting the defense's request, the judge approved a prosecution request to seal the official arrest warrant from public view.

Details of the alleged crime suggest why these actions may have been felt necessary. According to police, the man's mother died of blunt head trauma though no weapon was used in the attack that killed her. Investigators allege that the man beat the 64-year-old woman and stole her car. He was arrested Thursday at his home in New Britain.

The defendant remains in custody and is due to make his next appearance in court later this week. Perhaps at that time it may be known whether he is considered competent.

Source: The Hartford Courant, "Man Charged With Fatally Beating Mother In Southington," Christine Dempsey, Hilda Munoz, Feb. 10, 2012