A Detroit mother, Brandee Katrice Pierce, accused of the grim act of killing and burying her son, is slated for a competency examination following a request from her defense. As reported by ClickOnDetroit, the examination is set to assess Pierce's mental fitness to proceed with the trial. Her preliminary examination, initially scheduled for March, was canceled in light of this development.
According to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office, Pierce faces several grave allegations, including first-degree murder and felony murder. A landlord refurbishing a property uncovered a shallow grave on Jan. 6, leading to the discovery of Zemar King's body. The 9-year-old had been laid in the unassuming confines of a Detroit backyard, his final resting place marked by the frozen ground parting to reveal a child's foot, the CBS News Detroit detailed.
Zemar, who died from smothering and neck compression per an autopsy report, had previously confided in Child Protective Services that his mother "chokes him and wants to kill him," shared Assistant Wayne County Prosecutor Tina Ripley during Pierce's arraignment, according to The Detroit News. Pierce has pleaded not guilty to the charges while her competency review, crucial to continuing her case, is pending for May 13 before Judge Shawn Jacque of the 36th District Court.
