By Carl Hessler Jr., North Penn Life

PENNSYLVANIA — A Maryland man is headed to trial for allegedly fatally shooting his aunt in Towamencin nearly eight years ago. Yeshtila Awoke Ameshe, 34, of Adelphi, faces a trial on charges of first- and third-degree murder later this year now that Montgomery County Judge S. Gerald Corso determined Ameshe is competent to stand trial. Ameshe’s competency was at the heart of several court hearings over the years during which Ameshe’s lawyer claimed he was incompetent to stand trial while prosecutors claimed he was competent.

“We’re pleased with the finding that he’s competent and we are anxious to bring him to trial,” said Deputy District Attorney Christopher Maloney. “The victim’s family has been waiting patiently for eight years for an opportunity at justice. We maintained throughout the last eight years that he is competent.”

Defense lawyer Scott Krieger could not be reached for comment March 28.

In light of the judge’s latest ruling, Ameshe, charged in connection with the June 27, 2000, shooting death of his aunt, Haregewene Bitew, is scheduled to be formally arraigned on the murder-related charges in county court on April 7.

Bitew was shot to death inside a Dock Village apartment in Towamencin, Pennsylvania.

Ameshe, who had been housed at Norristown State Hospital while lawyers argued about his competency, will now be transferred to the county jail to await trial.

During one competency hearing two years ago, Ameshe, through Krieger, claimed he was mentally incompetent to stand trial. At that time, a psychiatrist hired by the defense testified Ameshe had a mental illness that led him to believe his aunt is still alive and that Ameshe showed no ability to adequately assist Krieger in devising trial strategies.

However, at that time, Maloney alleged Ameshe was “malingering,” or faking mental illness in order to avoid prosecution. Maloney called Ameshe’s claims “manipulative, a total fabrication and a ruse.”

Another forensic psychiatrist who evaluated Ameshe and testified for prosecutors claimed Ameshe is competent to proceed to trial. The prosecution’s psychiatrist claimed Ameshe understands the charges and court procedures.

Maloney implied Ameshe knew that by saying his aunt is alive there is a possibility he would be deemed incompetent, remain at Norristown State Hospital and never be forced to serve jail time for his alleged crime.
According to court documents, Bitew, a 60-year-old licensed nurse from Silver Spring, Md., died after sustaining gunshot wounds to her head, neck and torso inside the Community Drive apartment. Several relatives of the victim were in the apartment at the time of the 8 p.m. shooting or witnessed the crime, court papers indicate.

Witnesses told detectives that Ameshe, who speaks Amharic, an Ethiopian language, was being counseled by Bitew about a problem with his girlfriend shortly before the shooting, according to the criminal complaint.

Ameshe fled in a vehicle, which was later stopped by state police, according to court documents. Troopers recovered a 9 mm handgun from the car operated by Ameshe, the criminal complaint alleged.