Greene County Jail's longest held inmate headed toward trial for murder

A judge determined last week a 2012 Springfield murder suspect is mentally fit to stand trial.

Judge Thomas Mountjoy ruled that Marya VonBrandt, 22, is capable of understanding the proceedings against her and assisting in her own defense — despite one psychologist saying otherwise.

VonBrandt is charged with second-degree murder in connection with the November 2012 shooting death of Kevin Engh, 41, a man who had previously paid her for sex.

At a competency hearing earlier this month, Springfield psychologist Kent Franks said VonBrandt's mental health has declined over the last three years and he did not believe she was competent to stand trial.

Franks said VonBrandt was delusional and not thinking rationally when he last interviewed her in December. He said she claimed she was the victim of mind-control and jailers were poisoning her food.

Prosecutors then called two experts who said they interviewed VonBrandt and they believe she was making up many of her symptoms.

James Reynolds with the Department of Mental Health said VonBrandt's behavior, like eating all her food, doesn't match up with her claims that she believes someone is poisoning her meals.

Judge Mountjoy listened to the arguments, took the issue under advisement for a few days and then ruled on Aug. 8 that VonBrandt is mentally competent to proceed.

A pre-trial conference has been scheduled in this case for Sept. 19.

VonBrandt allegedly told police the gun accidentally went off when she shot Engh on Nov. 6, 2012 on East Grand Street in Springfield.

Springfield police say VonBrandt's story changed often during hours of questioning.

One version involved her going to an apartment near Park Central Square for meth. Once in the vehicle, the story goes, Engh requested oral sex, he hit VonBrandt with a gun, she fought for the gun and shot Engh.

Franks testified at a 2013 court appearance that VonBrandt was nearly 19-years-old when the homicide occurred, but emotionally she was "more like a child."

VonBrandt is the longest-tenured inmate in the Greene County Jail. She has been there since Nov. 6, 2012.