By JAMES MITCHELL
Sunday Times Newspapers
TAYLOR – Before facing a jury for the homicide of a Taylor man, a 26-year-old Detroit man will undergo a competency evaluation.
Joseph Emmanu Watson was charged last month with four felonies including first-degree homicide in the shooting death of Jose Luis Zambrano, 23. Watson was ordered to undergo a forensic competency evaluation on Feb. 29 by 23rd District Court Judge Geno Salomone.
Police and prosecutors said Watson shot Zambrano in the chest in a house in the 15600 block of Wellington on Feb. 20. A 26-year-old Taylor man also was shot in the arm during the incident.
Police Chief Mary Sclabassi said Watson was still in the house when officers responded, and was there visiting his cousin, the 26-year-old man was shot in the arm. Watson then fled the scene but was soon taken into custody by police after a foot chase.
Watson was arraigned on charges of first-degree murder – punishable by life in prison without possibility of parole – assault with intent to commit murder, carrying a concealed weapon and felony firearms.
He remained in custody without bond pending a scheduled June 1 competency hearing.
(James Mitchell can be reached at [email protected].)