Nelson’s criminal case still stalled

The criminal case against Scott Edward Nelson, on hold since his defense attorneys began questioning whether he is competent to stand trial, remained in limbo Monday as the judge considered what motions he could rule on in the case.

Nelson was arrested just over 13 months ago. He is accused of kidnapping Jennifer Fulford of Altamonte Springs from her employer’s home in Winter Park and killing her, and could face the death penalty if convicted. He was not in court Monday. Circuit Judge Keith White told attorneys in the case they have two weeks to either request he schedule a competency hearing for Nelson or file any other motions they need to prepare for it.

If White finds that Nelson is competent to proceed, the next step would be to deal with the hand-written letter Nelson sent in June saying he is not happy with his attorneys, White said. If Nelson isn’t competent, he will likely be taken to a state hospital until he can stand trial.

The assistant public defenders representing Nelson had asked White for a hearing Monday to let them make arguments relating to experts for the trial outside the presence of prosecutors. They did not say why they did not want to make those arguments in open court.

“What’s the necessity for this motion? That’s what I’m still trying to understand,” White asked Assistant Public Defender Chelsea Simmons. Simmons asked to approach White’s bench, and the last 13 minutes of the hourlong hearing were at a sidebar.