A sex worker from Ohio accused of fatally drugping four clients and trying to kill a fifth has been competent to be judged.
Rebecca Auborn, 34, understands the nature and objective of the procedures and can help in his defense, said the judge of the Common Court of the County of Franklin, Karen PHIPPS.
It was not clear immediately if a trial date has been established.
Auborn was accused in October 2023 in relation to almost 30 crimes, including multiple positions of murder, aggravated robbery and criminal assault, a copy of the accusation shows.
Auborn has declared himself innocent. His lawyer did not immediately respond to a comment request on Monday.
Christyn Crockett, daughter of the alleged victim Wayne Akin, 64, said she was relieved by the ruling so she could start a fair trial.
“None of us will be able to relax until all this is over,” he said in an interview on Monday. “But it is a step in the right direction.”
The judge ordered the jurisdiction in June after Auborn’s lawyer requested it, according to a presentation of the Court. The evaluation was carried out by a forensic examiner in Columbus.
The authorities have alleged that from January to June 2023, Auborn met with four clients by sex in the Columbus area before they drug fatally with fentanyl and stole them.
Auborn was also accused of criminal assault and aggravated robbery in the attempt of overdose of a fifth person in December, according to the accusation.
In addition to Akin, other victims who allegedly died from overdose are Robert Snoke, 54; Joseph Crumper, 30; and Guy Renda Jr., 42, according to the autopsy reports provided by the Franklin county forensic office.
