Video: West Point Man Freed After 12 Years With No Trial

WEST POINT (WCBI) – A judge has ordered Steven Jessie Harris freed after 12 years in jail without a trial.   Harris was arrested for the October 2005 shooting death of his father but over the years his case was delayed while his mental competency was being examined.   Harris’ case eventually wound up  being dropped from the active docket and he was in limbo until Scott Colom was elected district attorney.  During that transition, Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott inquired about the status of the case.   Colom then researched the case and discovered Harris was due more mental competency tests which have found him incompetent to stand trial.   That ruling also said Harris should be sent to a  long term state run mental health facility but there are no available beds meaning he will be set free since the state cannot meet the requirements of the court order.   The ruling does not completely dismiss the charges by saying Harris can be tried if he is fond to be competent in the future.