Judge extends suspension of court proceedings in murder case
Patrice Bumstead
Farmer Editor
A restoration review hearing was held at the McKenzie County Courthouse Wednesday, March 26, to determine if Scott Beane is competent for trial. Beane was charged on Nov. 16, 2023, with a Class AA Felony for the murder of his mother, Lois Beane.
During the hearing, Special Assistant State’s Attorney Nathan Madden and Defense Attorney Stormy Vickers, representing Beane, agreed to have the presiding judge extend the suspension of the proceedings to allow Beane to continue treatment at the state hospital to attempt to restore him to competency.
Documents filed with the Northwest Judicial District states the most recent update from Beane’s physician at the state hospital notes that he recently resumed group sessions and is actively involved. Since the last restoration hearing medical staff also reported both progress and barriers to the restoration process at different times.
N.D.C.C. § 12.1-04-08(2) states “The court may extend the suspension for an additional three-hundred and sixty-five days if there is medical evidence to believe the defendant’s fitness to proceed will be restored during the extended period.”
Judge Daniel El-Dweek found the medical professional’s reports and updates to be medical evidence that Beane’s fitness will be restored during this extension and ordered that Beane be committed to the state hospital for an additional period of up to 150 days, but not longer than the maximum possible sentence for the underlying offenses under all of the same terms and conditions as June 6, 2024, order.
A hearing is scheduled for July 9, 3025.
The McKenzie County Farmer will continue to follow this case and report new information as it becomes available.
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