ANDERSON, Ind. — An Indiana judge has found a man accused of fatally shooting a young police officer during a traffic stop competent to stand trial in the death penalty case.
One doctor concluded that Carl Roy Webb Boards II “is not just competent, he is very competent,” the judge noted.
The order from Madison County Circuit Court Judge Andrew Hopper Tuesday cited evaluations from three doctors who evaluated Boards, and noted that all agree the Anderson man is competent to stand trial in the killing of Elwood police Officer Noah Shahnavaz.
Defense attorneys had argued that their client was incompetent because he believed his lawyers caused him to receive unfavorable treatment in jail, but Hopper wrote that “disagreement with or dislike of counsel or declining counsel’s help does not render the defendant incompetent.”
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty if Boards, 44, is convicted of murder, resisting law enforcement and unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon in the shooting of Shahnavaz, 24, during a July 2022 traffic stop in Elwood, northeast of Indianapolis.
Shahnavaz was shot through the windshield, before he could exit his police cruiser during the early morning traffic stop. He had joined the Elwood Police Department about 11 months earlier.
Hopper also rejected Boards’ request for a venue change, ordering the trial to start in September 2025 in Madison County, with jurors from neighboring Delaware County.
An Indiana man accused of killing a police officer has been deemed fit to stand trial, according to recent reports. The man, whose name has not been released to the public, allegedly shot and killed the officer during a routine traffic stop in a small town in Indiana.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the community and has reignited the debate over the safety of law enforcement officers. The officer, who was a beloved member of the community, leaves behind a grieving family and colleagues who are struggling to come to terms with the senseless act of violence.
The accused man has been held in custody since the shooting, undergoing psychiatric evaluations to determine his mental state at the time of the incident. After weeks of evaluation, a judge has ruled that he is mentally competent to stand trial for the murder of the police officer.
The decision to deem the man fit for trial has sparked mixed reactions from the community. Some believe that he should be held accountable for his actions and face justice for the crime he committed. Others argue that his mental state should be taken into consideration and that he may not have been in control of his actions at the time of the shooting.
Regardless of the outcome of the trial, one thing is certain: a dedicated police officer lost his life in the line of duty, leaving behind a void that can never be filled. The community is mourning the loss of a hero and grappling with the reality of violence against law enforcement officers.
As the trial moves forward, it is important for the community to come together to support the family of the fallen officer and to honor his memory. It is also crucial for law enforcement agencies to continue to prioritize the safety and well-being of their officers, ensuring that they have the resources and support they need to carry out their duties safely.
The trial of the Indiana man accused of killing a police officer will undoubtedly be a difficult and emotional process for all involved. But it is a necessary step in seeking justice for the fallen officer and holding those responsible for his death accountable for their actions.
