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Jon Jonchuck, man accused of throwing daughter off bridge, competent to stand trial. Trial Feb, 2018

Posted at 11:31 AM, Mar 03, 2017
and last updated 2017-03-27 16:14:48-04
UPDATE | 3/27/2017---
 
Jon Jonchuck's trial is set to begin Feb. 5, 2018.
 
ORIGINAL STORY | A Florida man accused of throwing his young daughter to her death off a Tampa Bay area bridge has been found competent to stand trial.
 
There will be a pre-trial hearing on March 27 at 1:30 p.m.
 
 
Pinellas County Judge Joseph Bulone issued the ruling Friday that Jon Jonchuck was competent to stand trial.
 
In January, state mental health doctors determined 27-year-old Jon Jonchuck was ready to stand trial. He was deemed incompetent in February 2015, the month after prosecutors say he dropped 5-year-old Phoebe Jonchuck into Tampa Bay.
 
The Tampa Bay Times reports Jonchuck will remain at the state hospital in Gainesville until the case is closer to trial.
 
Pinellas-Pasco Chief Assistant State Attorney Brian Bartlett says they're concerned Jonchuck will become incompetent again if he's not forced to take his medication.
 
 
Prosecutors say they're hoping for a fall trial. The state is seeking the death penalty.