By JAMES MITCHELL
Sunday Times Newspapers
TAYLOR — A competency evaluation for a man accused of murdering his six-week-old daughter has been adjourned until Friday.
Luis Marcos Smolen, 23, is scheduled to appear before Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Timothy Kenny to determine if he is capable of understanding the charges and participating in his own defense. A previous exam that had been scheduled for July 18 was adjourned by the court.
Smolen was charged in February with felony murder and first-degree child abuse, both punishable by life in prison. Police said that in December 2013, Payton Smolen died after suffering severe head trauma and multiple injuries. Police had responded to a Dec. 1 call from the 15000 block of Park Village, where an infant was reportedly not breathing.
According to police reports the baby appeared to have been beaten, and was pronounced dead at the hospital later that day.
The baby’s mother and a 1-year-old sibling were in the home at the time. Taylor police had requested an independent investigation from Child Protective Services.
Smolen remained in custody without bond.
(James Mitchell can be reached at [email protected].)