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FAIRBANKS — A defense expert testified this week that Brian Galbraith is incompetent to stand trial for the 2007 of a mental health worker.
Galbraith, 53, of Fairbanks suffers from schizophrenia. He faces first-degree murder and assault charges in connection with the stabbing death of 32-year-old Genine Holznagel-Leary at a South Fairbanks mental health housing facility.
Dr. Mark McClung of Seattle interviewed Galbraith three months ago and reviewed criminal records as well as psychiatric records from the Alaska Psychiatric Institute, where Galbraith has periodically lived.
McClung testified at an evidentiary hearing in Fairbanks Superior Court on Thursday, saying Galbraith would be unable to assist in his defense and unable to give a coherent, rational and organized account of himself.
An expert for the prosecution will testify on Galbraith's competency at a hearing on Aug. 26. Superior Court Judge Robert Downes will rule on Galbraith's competency sometime thereafter.
This is the prosecution's second attempt at bringing Galbraith to trial.
The case was dismissed in 2008 with Downes ruling that the state failed to prove Galbraith was competent to stand trial.
Following his release, Galbraith voluntarily committed himself to API and charges were re-filed after he asked to leave the institution.
Downes ruled that Galbraith's condition had improved, and he was competent to stand trial when he was re-indicted.
Defense
McClung testified that during the interview, Galbraith talked about little people dangling off his mustache and eating his brain, according to court transcripts. The forensic psychiatrist also said that Galbraith claimed to have sold a typewriter for millions of dollars and referred to himself as a successful gold miner.
McClung said Galbraith's thought process seemed disorganized and that he was hard to follow at times.
Mental health experts who have treated Galbraith have alternately described his condition as beyond help and treatable with medication.
In 1983, a jury convicted Galbraith of attempted kidnapping after he put a hard, shiny object to a woman's neck and tried to force her into a car, according to court records. The woman fought him off. He received a five-year prison sentence.
In 1989, a jury convicted Galbraith of third-degree assault after he threatened a grocery store employee with a knife. His punishment was five years of suspended jail time and an order to comply with his mental health treatment plan, records stated.
Three other assault charges since 1982 have been dismissed.
Contact staff writer Amanda Bohman at 459-7544.
Read more: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner - Defense presses for incompetency ruling in 2007 slaying
