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Man charged with killing 6 people released, found incompetent to stand trial

State may seek involuntary commitment of Travis Birkley because of mental incapacity to stand trial
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Posted at 10:02 PM, Jan 27, 2023
and last updated 2023-01-28 08:38:26-05

MILWAUKEE — A man who is charged with killing six people in a botched robbery was found incompetent to stand trial Friday and his case was suspended, court records show.

Travis Birkley, 35, had his bond conditions dropped, according to court records. He was facing six counts of felony murder - armed robbery after five men and one woman werefound dead with gunshot injuries in a home at 21st and Wright last year. He was charged in June 2022.

Police responded to the home on Jan. 23, 2022. The victims were later identified as Charles L. Hardy, 42; Caleb A, Jordan, 23; Donald Smith, 43; Donta H. Williams, 44; Michelle D. Williams, 49; and Javoni Liddell, 31.

According to court records, Birkley did not appear in court Friday morning as he was hospitalized.

The court was first notified Birkley was in the hospital on January 13, when a competency examination was ordered by Judge Mark Sanders.

Attorneys for Birkley told Judge Sanders that guardianship proceedings are underway.

Prosecutors said they may seek hold on Birkley under what’s known as Chapter 51 or Chapter 55.

Those state laws allow a person to be held in protective custody or committed because of mental incapacitation.

Birkley had not been in court in person since October.

This is a developing story and will be updated when we learn more.

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