Judge Orders New Competency Evaluation for Shane James
The court will hold a hearing on Monday to determine if the trial and jury selection can proceed as scheduled.
Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Sex Crimes
District Judge Clifford Brown has ordered a new competency evaluation for Shane James, who faces charges in connection with six killings across Austin and San Antonio. The court-ordered assessment follows a request from prosecutors and precedes a scheduled competency hearing for the defendant.
Why it matters
The judicial process for the accused, who previously spent nine months in a psychiatric hospital after being found incompetent in 2024, remains at a critical juncture. The outcome of the upcoming competency hearing will determine if the trial, including jury selection, proceeds as planned.
Shane James faces charges for 6 killings and has a history of mental health crises, including a 9-month stay in a psychiatric facility. The court is now evaluating whether he is currently competent to stand trial after previously vacillating between competent and incompetent statuses.
The players
Shane James
The defendant facing charges for six killings in Austin and San Antonio.
Clifford Brown
The District Judge overseeing the trial and competency proceedings.
Kimberly Harrison
The court-appointed doctor tasked with evaluating the defendant's competency.
The details
District Judge Clifford Brown appointed Dr. Kimberly Harrison to conduct the new clinical evaluation. James was previously found incompetent in October 2024, then ruled competent in July 2025, with his legal team currently signaling an intent to argue not guilty by reason of insanity. If the judge finds the defendant competent during Monday's hearing, jury selection is scheduled to begin the following day.
Timeline
2018: Police involuntarily detained Shane James.
August 2023: Police responded to a mental health crisis involving James.
October 2024: James was found incompetent to stand trial.
July 2025: Judge ruled James competent to proceed.
Monday: Competency hearing scheduled.
The Texas Context
The current court order marks a return to competency proceedings following the July 2025 ruling that had previously cleared the defendant for trial. This shift illustrates the complexities of navigating mental health evaluations in high-stakes criminal litigation in Texas.
Jury selection is slated for Tuesday if the Monday competency hearing yields a favorable ruling. Any further delays or status changes in this case may shift the court schedule for the coming weeks.
The takeaway
The court remains focused on the defendant's mental fitness before proceeding with the trial. Residents should watch for the outcome of Monday's hearing to see if jury selection moves forward as scheduled on Tuesday.
Further reading
For more updates on local legal proceedings, visit the Sex Crimes section.
