Charge dismissed against man accused of trying to rob Tacoma convenience store
A man accused of trying to rob a Tacoma convenience store has been found incompetent to stand trial.
Pierce County Superior Court Judge Stephanie Arend ordered the attempted second-degree robbery charge against Maurice Barb dismissed Sept. 21, because psychologists weren’t sure he fully understood the charge or could help in his defense.
Prosecutors said 21-year-old Barb walked up to the register of the store at 1440 Puyallup Ave. on May 16, asked for some paper and wrote: “Give me all the money in the cash register.”
The clerk called 911, and police arrived and arrested Barb.
Days later, the court ordered Barb examined at Western State Hospital. A psychologist said Barb wasn’t fit to stand trial due to mental illness, and he underwent treatment to try to restore his competency.
He still didn’t appear fit this month to stand trial, another psychologist reported.
When the charge was dismissed, Arend ordered that Barb be taken to Western State to be evaluated for potential civil commitment.
Alexis Krell: 253-597-8268, @amkrell
This story was originally published September 27, 2016 at 4:48 PM with the headline "Charge dismissed against man accused of trying to rob Tacoma convenience store."