Former Turnstile guitarist Brady Ebert has been ruled mentally incompetent to stand trial on a charge of second-degree attempted murder against the father of Turnstile frontman Brendan Yates. The ruling was handed down by Judge Karla Smith in a Montgomery County court in the Baltimore area.
The decision addresses Ebert’s current mental state and what it means for the case moving forward.
“Judge Karla Smith ruled on Tuesday (Sept. 22) that the 34-year-old musician was mentally incompetent to stand trial, expressing that he was viewed as being a danger to himself and others. As part of the ruling, Ebert was ordered to be held by the Maryland Department of Health.”
Ebert’s attorney, Mark Sobel, commented on the potential path forward for the case.
“Hopefully, he’ll get the proper treatment for his competency to be restored, so we can proceed to trial in this case,” Mark Sobel said.
The case remains ongoing as Ebert receives treatment under the custody of the Maryland Department of Health.
Ebert’s history with Turnstile and the events leading up to his arrest add crucial context to the incompetency ruling.
Ebert played guitar on Turnstile’s first three albums, including the band’s 2021 breakout record “Glow On.” The group cut ties with him in 2022. Turnstile stated at the time that the split came in response to “a consistent pattern of harmful behavior affecting himself, the band, and the community.”
The attempted murder charge stems from an incident in March 2026. Ebert allegedly struck William Yates, Brendan Yates’ 79-year-old father, with a vehicle in Silver Spring, Maryland. Ebert was arrested on March 30, one day after the attack. He was charged with two felonies: attempted second-degree murder and first-degree assault.
William Yates suffered severe trauma to both of his legs as a result of the collision. He later told detectives that Ebert had been harassing him prior to the incident.
Ebert has maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings, claiming he acted in self-defense after being “straight up attacked.” His competency has come under scrutiny in recent court appearances, including a hearing where he reportedly threatened to fire his own attorney.
