Christopher Leahy, the man accused of fatally stabbing University of Washington student Juniper Blessing, has been found incompetent to stand trial again and ordered to undergo a further period of mental health treatment.
The second competency restoration programme is expected to last three months, with Leahy due back before a King County court on 12 December 2026. Criminal proceedings will remain on hold in the meantime.
Leahy faces a charge of premeditated first-degree murder over the death of 19-year-old Blessing. His lawyers have repeatedly argued that he is unable to understand the proceedings or assist properly in his defence.
He completed an initial round of competency restoration on Friday, but evaluators concluded that he was still not fit to stand trial. The court subsequently ordered the second period of treatment.
Alleged stalking before University of Washington killing
Court documents allege that Leahy had stalked other students living at the same apartment complex before Blessing was killed. Security footage also reportedly placed him inside several University of Washington buildings and showed him trying to force open the door of a private home in Seattle’s Ravenna neighbourhood days before the attack.
Prosecutors have said they will not pursue a hate-crime charge. Although Blessing was a transgender woman, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office said there was insufficient evidence to establish that the killing was motivated by hatred.
The finding of incompetence does not mean the murder case has been abandoned or that Leahy will be released. If doctors conclude that his competency is restored, the criminal proceedings can resume.
Should he remain incompetent after the available restoration efforts, the felony case would be unable to proceed. In that event, prosecutors say the court would likely consider a separate civil commitment to a facility such as Western State Hospital.
