Woman charged in boyfriend’s death ruled competent for trial
Fairfield woman in Butler County Jail on $1 million bond.
A woman BUTLER COUNTY — accused of killing her boyfriend at a Fairfield residence has been declared competent to stand trial.
Stephanie Gabbard, 33, was indicted in September just days after the murder of David Mitchell, 41, who was found dead Sept. 4 in an apartment on Eastgate Drive that he shared with Gabbard.
Butler County Judge Michael Oster set bond at $1 million for Gabbard during arraignment. She remains in the Butler County Jail.
Defense attorneys Greg Beane and Gerald Wirsch filed a motion requesting Gabbard be evaluated to determine her competency to stand trial. The attorneys gave no reason for the request.
Gabbard was in court Monday when Oster declared her competent for trial after reviewing the psychological evaluation.
Officers were dispatched at 5:15 p.m. Sept. 4 for a well-being check requested by Gabbard’s friend, who told dispatchers the woman had called him crying and was “hysterical.”
He also told the dispatcher that Gabbard had “been in and out of abusive relationships.”
Police said there had been no previous calls for service at the apartment involving Gabbard and Mitchell.
According to court records in Hamilton County and Butler County, Gabbard was previously charged and convicted of various offenses, including theft. She was found guilty in September 2017 on a burglary/trespass charge in Hamilton County and was found guilty in December 2007 on a theft charge in Fairfield. Contact this reporter at 513705-2841 or email Lauren. Pack@coxinc.com.