The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Man to get second opinion on competency
University Hts. resident accused of intentionally causing crash that killed Eastlake man in 2017
A University Heights man accused of purposefully causing an Eastlake man’s death in a 2017 crash in Willoughby Hills will get a second opinion on whether he is competent to stand trial.
A court psychologist found that Michael B. Davis is competent to stand trial for the murder of 26-year-old Gregory Morawski, but his attorneys asked Lake County Common Pleas Court Judge Eugene A. Lucci for a chance to seek out a second opinion before the case moves forward.
Lucci is giving Davis’ attorneys
until Oct. 19 to have a psychologist lined up to perform the evaluation.
Davis was indicted in March on three counts of murder, one count of attempted murder and four counts of felonious assault.
Police said that on July 4, 2017, Davis was driving a 2013 Volkswagen
Jetta westbound on Route 6 (Chardon Road) west of Route 174 (River Road). For unknown reasons, the Jetta went left of center, striking the driver’s side of a 2009 Honda Civic driven by Morawski. The Civic was pushed off the road, and Morawski was pronounced dead at the scene.
Davis and Morawski’s passenger were transported to Hillcrest Hospital in Mayfield Heights.
Lake County Prosecutor
Charles Coulson previously said he does not believe Davis knew the victims.
Davis is out of jail after posting 10 percent of a $250,000 bond. Conditions of bond include no driving other than for medical and psychological appointments, to continue psychiatric treatment and to take prescribed medications. He is being electronically monitored on house arrest by GPS.
Assistant Lake County
Prosecutor Pat Condon said at the Oct. 4 hearing that he had no objections to Davis receiving a second evaluation.
“If the state were to oppose that second opinion it would be an appellate issue that would cause this case to be delayed even longer and possibly tried a second time,” Condon said. “Based on that, we have no opposition to the defendant asking for and receiving a second opinion.”