Tailei Qi, the man charged with the murder of UNC Professor Zijie Yan, will undergo a mental evaluation in the coming weeks.
In March, an Orange County judge ruled Qi was mentally competent to stand trial for the August 2023 murder.
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Qi’s defense attorneys say they plan to argue Qi is not guilty by reason of insanity, which is the reason for the additional mental evaluation.
On Tuesday morning, Qi's attorney told Judge Richard Baddour he should be evaluated this week or next.
She and Assistant District Attorney Anna Orr requested a hearing on September 15th after the evaluation is complete.
“Hopefully if that’s complete, that will give us sufficient time to request an interpreter,” Orr said.
It is unclear if Qi will be transported to Central Regional Hospital for the evaluation; his attorney said at last check on Friday, Qi was in the Orange County Jail.
Being found mentally competent for trial means that a defendant understands the charges against him/her and can assist their attorneys in their defense. Whether a defendant is mentally “insane” at the time of the crime is a different question.
For Qi to be found guilty, a jury must believe he both committed the crime and had the intent to do so.