A Michigan man who allegedly murdered, mutilated, and ate his online date last year was found incompetent to stand trial on Thursday.
Mark Latunski’s attorney, Doug Corwin, told the Detroit Free Press that a physician found his client unfit to stand trial. As a result, District Court Judge Ward Clarkson referred Latunski, 50, to the State of Michigan’s Forensic Center for treatment.
Latunski is accused of killing Kevin Bacon, 25, at his home in December after allegedly connecting on a gay dating site called Grindr.
Bacon was reported missing on Christmas, a day after he reportedly met with Latunski in person. Bacon’s body was reportedly discovered in the suspect’s home on December 28. Documents stated that the victim was found hanging upside down by his ankles from the ceiling.
Latunski allegedly admitted to killing Bacon by stabbing him in the back and slitting his throat. He reportedly recounted tying a rope around Bacon’s ankles and fastening it to his ceiling’s rafters. Authorities said he also revealed that he severed Bacon’s testicles with a knife and ate them.
In August, Latunski’s ex-wife requested his parenting time be suspended, claiming he was diagnosed with major depression, paranoid schizophrenia, and features of a personality disorder in 2010 and 2012. In 2013, Latunski was charged with taking two of his four children from their mother. Those charges were ultimately dismissed.
In early January, Latuniski’s attorney introduced an insanity defense and requested a competency evaluation. The Free Press reported that in light of Thursday’s hearing, Latuniski will undergo 15 months’ worth of counseling, medical treatment, and assessments to see if his competency can be restored.
If Latuniski’s competency is restored, he will stand trial for Bacon’s murder. However, if that does not occur, he faces involuntary commitment and ongoing mental health treatment.
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[Featured image: Mark Latunski/Michigan State Police; Kevin Bacon/Facebook]
