A North Canton man accused of firing shots inside his apartment complex has been ruled competent to stand trial.
Stark County Common Pleas Judge Taryn L. Heath made the ruling Monday in the case against 38-year-old Brian K. Francisco II, who faces 27 criminal charges and specifications tied to an October shooting that left a woman injured.
The decision followed an agreement by prosecutors and defense counsel to accept findings from the Psycho-Diagnostic Clinic of Akron. The report states Francisco understands the court proceedings and is able to assist in his own defense.
After accepting the evaluation, Heath said she will order a separate sanity examination to determine whether Francisco was legally sane at the time of the incident.
Francisco is accused of firing multiple shots through the walls of his apartment at the Versailles Gardens complex on Applegrove Street NE on Oct. 9. One of the bullets struck a woman inside a neighboring unit.
Police said officers and a paramedic removed the injured woman from her apartment while the gunfire was ongoing. No other injuries were reported.
Authorities said officers and emergency responders did not fire their weapons during the incident.
