Taylor Ruled CompetentGunman Accused Of Killing 3 In March RampageUPDATED: 3:53 p.m. EDT April 13, 2000 Ronald Taylor, the man charged with killing three people and wounding two others in a March shooting spree, was ruled mentally competent to stand trial, prosecutors said Thursday. The decision clears the way for prosecutors to try Taylor, 39, on three counts of homicide, said Mike Manko, a spokesman for Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala Jr. That could take place in May or June, sources reported. On March 1, police said that Taylor became enraged over a broken door at his apartment in Wilkinsburg, eight miles east of Pittsburgh. He allegedly set his dwelling on fire before shooting a maintenance worker at his building and four other people at fast-food restaurants. He surrendered to police after a subsequent standoff that day. Allegheny County Judge Jeffrey Manning ordered that Taylor go to Mayview State Hospital so that doctors could determine whether he understands the charges against him and whether he can help in his defense. According to Manko, doctors at Mayview have confirmed that Taylor can. Taylor said he had a history of mental illness. Writings found in his home expressed hatred for whites, Jews and others. Taylor is black. Manning said Taylor might be "malingering," or exaggerating mental illness symptoms, but doctors needed to determine that. Taylor's attorney, James Ecker, declined comment.
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