By CALEB FREY

Staff Reporter

LAPLACE – A Reserve man accused of killing his infant son last year will once again wait to stand trial until a court-appointed commission determines his mental stability, according to the St. John District Attorney’s Office.

Clinton Crockens, 22, was originally set to stand trial in May 2005 for the alleged murder of his 3-month-old son.

He was arrested and charged with the first-degree murder of his infant son Julien in December 2004 after allegedly throwing the boy across the room at his mother’s residence.

Crockens allegedly confessed to St. John Officers that he threw the infant across the room because he would not stop crying.

The trial has been postponed several times due to Crockens’ private attorney’s failure to show for court dates on several occasions.

A sanity commission has been appointed for Crockens’ case, which consists of at least two and not more than three physicians who are licensed to practice medicine in Louisiana, who have been in the actual practice of medicine for not less than three consecutive years immediately preceding the appointment, and who are qualified by training or experience in forensic evaluations, according to the Louisiana State Board of Examniners of Psychologists.

If, after the hearing, the court determines Crockens incapable of standing trial, is a danger to himself or others, and is unlikely in the foreseeable future to be capable of standing trial, the court shall order commitment to a designated and medically suitable treatment facility.

However, the director of the institution designated for the patient’s treatment shall, in writing, notify the court and the district attorney when the patient is to be discharged or conditionally discharged.

Crockens, who pleaded innocent, can face the maximum penalty of execution or life in prison if convicted.

It is still unclear whether or not the prosecution will seek the death penalty for Crockens if he is fit to stand trial.