Woman whose father’s body found in home found incompetent to stand trial

WACO, Texas (KWTX) - A Bellmead woman who was living with her father’s decomposing body in a filthy mobile home was found mentally incompetent to stand trial Thursday.

Judge Thomas West committed Crystal Renee Martin, 44, to a state mental hospital for up to 120 days after finding her incompetent to stand trial during an uncontested hearing in 19th State District Court.

Martin will remain in the McLennan County Jail until a bed becomes available at a state mental hospital. If doctors determine she needs additional treatment after 120 days, West can recommit her for up to a year before her condition is reviewed again by the court.

Martin was charged with abuse of a corpse, a state jail felony, and resisting arrest, a misdemeanor, after Bellmead police officers were called to a mobile home in the 4000 block of East Harris Street on Oct. 22.

Officers found the decomposing body of Jerry Freeman, 66, lying on the floor and covered in “filth from the multiple dogs in the house,” according to arrest documents.

Martin had been living there with her father since 2009 and did not report her father’s death or otherwise make arrangements to care for his remains, officials said.

Dr. Lee Carter, a Waco psychologist, evaluated Martin and found her to be incompetent. Carter’s report, which was filed with the court, was not available Thursday because West sealed the document.

Martin’s attorney, Rod Goble, said “there is absolutely no doubt” that his client is incompetent to stand trial, meaning she has no rational understanding of the proceedings against her and cannot assist in her defense because of her mental disorder.

“She is extremely mentally ill,” Goble said. “She makes no sense at all. She is as incompetent as anyone I have ever represented.”

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