The competency hearing for Steven Bixby – the man convicted of killing two police officers in a standoff in Abbeville 22 years ago – concluded in Greenville Friday morning. It was the second day of hearings triggered by a state Supreme Court decision in March that delayed Bixby’s execution until his mental capacity could be determined.
A decision is expected within 30 days.
At issue is whether Bixby is capable of having rational conversations, as well as whether he can understand the nature of and reasoning for the hearings.
On Thursday, the court heard from witnesses in an all-day hearing. Friday’s hearing closed before noon; the only witness called was Dr. Donna Maddox, who has worked with Bixby since his arrest in 2003.
In her testimony, Maddox stated that Bixby “can understand the nature of the proceedings” and “has the capacity to rationally communicate” with his legal team.
She said that Bixby has “very strong beliefs, but I don’t consider it anything that would render him incompetent.”
Bixby’s attorneys, led by Josh Kendrick, argued that Bixby’s deeply held views on constitutional rights, as well as his religious beliefs, are evidence that he cannot have rational conversations.
Bixby’s conviction followed a standoff at his parents’ home in Abbeville in which he killed Abbeville County Sheriff's Deputy Danny Wilson and Constable Donnie Ouzts.
One of Wilson's daughters attended the hearings Friday, but did not speak publicly.
Bixby has argued from the beginning that he did nothing wrong because he was defending his parents' property. In court Friday, 13th Circuit Court Judge Scott Sprouse allowed Bixby to make a statement. In it, Bixby said that the police were trying “to steal my parents’ house.”
He called the hearings and his conviction a “farce” and “a clear-cut violation” of his constitutional rights.
In his summary, Kendrick stated that Bixby’s deep personality disorder – described by Maddox as one of the most severe she has ever encountered – is evidence of Bixby’s incompetence to grasp the reality of his situation.
Bixby is a self-described sovereign citizen and has stated that the U.S. Constitution is invalid. His guardian ad litem, Jack Duncan, stated that Bixby’s beliefs constitute “a deeply ingrained personality disorder,” not sovereign citizen beliefs.
Prosecuting attorney Joe Maye said of Bixby’s beliefs, “these are not delusions, but marginal beliefs.”
Orders from prosecutors and defense attorneys are due to Judge Sprouse within 14 days. Sprouse’s decision is due to the state Supreme Court within 30 days.
Dr. Maddox said that Bixby understands that if he is found competent for execution, that he will be put to death.
“He doesn’t want a life sentence,” she said. “It’s either free him or he’ll take the death penalty.”
