The legal case against former Turnstile guitarist Brady Ebert took a dramatic turn this week. A Montgomery County judge has ordered Ebert to undergo a competency evaluation. The order comes after the musician denied the charges against him and threatened legal action against police, prosecutors and even his own attorney.
During Thursday’s hearing, Ebert’s attorney raised concerns about his client’s ability to understand the charges and assist in his own defense. Ebert, however, insisted he was fully capable and disputed the accuracy of the police report.
“Brady Ebert, a former guitarist of the Baltimore hardcore band Turnstile who’s accused of hitting the singer’s father with a car, repeatedly professed his innocence Thursday after his attorney raised questions about his ability to understand the charges against him and assist in his own defense,” the report said.
Ebert went on to accuse his own legal team of colluding with prosecutors. This led to a tense exchange with the presiding judge.
“Ebert’s attorney, Mark Sobel, said during a hearing in Montgomery County Circuit Court he had ‘significant concerns regarding competency.’ But Ebert stated he was ‘perfectly competent’ and declared ‘every part of the police report is a lie.’ He said he believed his attorney was working with prosecutors. Ebert also suggested that his previous lawyer might have accepted a bribe. ‘Sir, you have a very good attorney,’ Circuit Judge Eric Johnson said. ‘No, he’s not,’ Ebert said. ‘I’m going to fire him.'”
Ebert also spoke about the time he has already spent in custody and reiterated his claim of innocence. He indicated he intends to take further legal action against those involved in his case.
“Ebert said he’s been incarcerated for five months and should never have been arrested. He appeared in court in a green jumpsuit. ‘We can watch the video right now and prove my innocence,’ he said. ‘I did not commit a crime.’ He said he will be pressing charges against the police officers, prosecutors and defense attorneys in the case. Johnson then ordered Ebert to undergo a competency evaluation and scheduled another hearing for Sept. 22.”
Ebert’s courtroom outburst comes against the backdrop of a case that has grown more serious in scope and severity in recent weeks. New details have emerged about both the alleged crime and Ebert’s history with the band he once helped define.
The alleged incident took place on March 29 in Silver Spring on Timberlake Drive. Police say Ebert honked his horn and swerved toward William Yates before backing up, accelerating and striking him in a driveway. Investigators allege Yates suffered serious trauma to his lower extremities in the collision. Ebert has been held without bail since his arrest.
Ebert spent more than a decade as a member of Turnstile before departing the band in 2022. At the time, Turnstile said it severed ties with him due to a “consistent pattern of harmful behavior,” which included threats of violence. That history has resurfaced amid the ongoing criminal proceedings.
The charges against Ebert have escalated since the case began. His second-degree attempted murder charge was upgraded to first-degree, a change that exposes him to a potential life sentence if convicted.
Ebert’s trial has been scheduled for Oct. 5. A series of pre-trial and motion hearings is expected to take place before then. The Sept. 22 hearing addressing the results of his competency evaluation will serve as a critical checkpoint ahead of that trial date.
Source: The Baltimore Banner
