Convicted Acworth killer Matthew Lanz was back in a Fulton County courtroom Tuesday morning, this time for a high-stakes competency hearing that will determine whether he is mentally fit to stand trial in a separate case accusing him of stabbing a Sandy Springs police officer. Lanz is already serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole following a November 2025 bench trial in Cobb County, but the Fulton County charges are still hanging over him.
According to Atlanta News First, the hearing in downtown Atlanta was set for 11 a.m. and focuses on whether Lanz can meaningfully participate in his own defense. The Fulton County indictment centers on an incident that allegedly took place in Sandy Springs one day after the Acworth killings.
Bench Verdict And Life Sentence In Cobb County
In November 2025, a Cobb County judge found Lanz guilty on a 13-count indictment that included malice murder, home invasion and child-cruelty charges. He was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported on the bench trial, including emotional statements from members of the Hicks family during sentencing.
Fulton Case Tied To Sandy Springs Officer Stabbing
The Fulton County case stems from a Nov. 19, 2021 confrontation in Sandy Springs. Authorities say Lanz stabbed a responding officer multiple times during a reported burglary, and that officers then shot Lanz at the scene. FOX 5 Atlanta reports that he faces multiple Fulton County counts related to aggravated assault and attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, as well as burglary and other felonies.
What A Competency Finding Could Mean
Under Georgia law, when a defendant’s competency is in doubt, a court can order psychiatric evaluation and treatment while that question is sorted out. The Department of Behavioral Health may hold or treat an accused person for an initial 90-day period, with potential extensions, as the court considers whether civil commitment or other measures are appropriate. The statutory framework is outlined by Justia. A previous competency dispute involving Lanz ended in October 2025, when a Cobb County judge found him fit to stand trial, according to CBS News Atlanta.
Family Grief And Community Support
The killings in Acworth left the couple’s toddler alone inside the house, a detail that rocked neighbors and first responders alike. Firefighters and community members organized tributes and rallied around the child, while relatives of the victims delivered wrenching statements in court. Local groups also set up support drives to help the family, as covered by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The Fulton County competency hearing was ongoing and streamed live by local outlets. How and when the Fulton case moves forward will depend on court calendars in both Fulton and Cobb counties, and on the ultimate ruling over Lanz's legal fitness to face the unresolved charges.
