A Wake County judge on Monday ruled that Andrew Thomas Graney, a former N.C. State student accused in a series of shootings along Interstate 40 last fall, is capable of assisting in his own defense and can move toward a criminal trial. The decision comes after months of psychiatric evaluations and inpatient care, and the judge ordered that Graney continue receiving mental health treatment as the case proceeds. He remains jailed and, as of Monday afternoon, no new court date had been set.
Judge Says Graney Is Competent, Keeps Him in Treatment
As reported by The News & Observer, Superior Court Judge Jennifer Bedford reviewed a forensic psychiatrist’s evaluation and concluded that Graney is able to understand the charges against him and assist his attorneys. Assistant District Attorney Patrick Latour told the court that Graney has been deemed competent, and Bedford agreed to the defense’s request that he remain under care at Central Regional Hospital for as long as necessary. The News & Observer notes that the evaluation’s medical details are protected from public release under HIPAA, so those specifics will stay behind hospital doors.
Background: 2024 I-40 Shootings and Earlier Mental Health Findings
Hoodline previously covered his arrest in November 2024 after police linked a string of shootings to vehicles and apartments along I-40. Reporting and court records show that authorities allege the incidents damaged at least eight vehicles and four homes and injured one woman. A forensic psychiatrist at Central Regional Hospital later found that Graney suffered from inadequately treated schizophrenia and had multiple hospitalizations for self-injury and hallucinations, which led to his commitment for treatment, according to WRAL.
What Comes Next in Court
Court documents cited by The News & Observer indicate that the Wake County District Attorney’s Office has offered Graney a plea deal, though the terms have not been disclosed. With the judge’s finding of competence, prosecutors can press ahead to trial or continue working on a possible plea. Under North Carolina law, courts can order inpatient treatment and schedule rehearings until a defendant is restored to competency, and a hospital report must be filed before any discharge, per the N.C. General Statutes. For now, Graney remains in custody while the legal case and his treatment move forward in tandem under court and medical supervision.
