Elizabeth Siders Will Be Evaluated: Is She Competent to Stand Trial?

Is Elizabeth Siders competent to stand trial in the Ohio “House of Horrors” Case? As the Lindsay Clancy trial puts maternal mental health and criminal responsibility under a national microscope, another mother at the center of a major criminal case is facing psychological evaluation.  Elizabeth Siders, who faces 16 child endangerment charges in the Vinton County, Ohio case, has been ordered to undergo a competency evaluation. But what does a competency test actually involve?  Today, we hear from an expert who takes us inside the evaluation process, and shares parts of it that took us by surprise.  In this episode of Criminally Obsessed, investigative reporter Anne Emerson speaks with forensic psychologist Dr. Leslie Dobson, who has administered many competency evaluations herself. She describes components of the test we’d never heard before, like taking part in a mock trial, and explains what happens after a defendant is found incompetent. With Dr. Dobson’s expert perspective, we learn what professionals will be looking for in Elizabeth Siders. The Siders case continues to move forward, with Gary Siders Jr. due back in court Thursday, August 13th on public indecency charges. We’ll keep you updated on the latest developments - Turn on your notifications and subscribe to Criminally Obsessed so you never miss our coverage of the Ohio “House of Horrors” investigation, the Lindsay Clancy trial, and the biggest true crime cases.