Murder defendant’s mental competency trial continues till next week

Ioan Laurint, the man accused in the death of local attorney Anne Marie Zimmerman, sat in court Thursday as a jury heard a recording of a forensic psychologist evaluating him.

In the recording, the expert witness asked Laurint questions regarding his children, his background, whether he heard voices, ringing in his ears or had hallucinations, among other things.

In another jail phone conversation recording, Laurint could be heard talking to a lady friend. They talked about his court dates and jail visitation times, among other things.

This is the second week in Laurint’s mental competency trial. About ten witnesses have taken the stand, which includes expert witnesses and county jail staff.

The trial will continue till the following week to give attorneys a chance to present closing arguments and the jury time for deliberations. The jury has to decide whether Laurint is mentally competent to stand trial for the murder of Anne Marie Zimmerman.