A Moorhead, Minnesota, teenager charged with killing a Watertown woman in a traffic crash nearly two years ago made a court appearance this morning.
Eighteen year-old Gage Thatcher Stevenson appeared via video teleconference from the Codington County Detention Center, but did not speak.
He’s charged with First Degree Murder in the death of 43 year-old Dawn Meyer.
During today’s hearing (Sept. 1, 2021), defense attorney Tom Sannes told Judge Carmen Means it was premature to issue any plea on behalf of his client. He told the court he’s been Stevenson’s legal counsel for only about two-and-a-half weeks, and questions his competency to fully understand the charges against him.
Sannes also expressed concerns about how Stevenson’s incarceration might be deteriorating his mental health skills. Sannes told the judge he needs more time to obtain additional medical records before deciding how to proceed.
Judge Means granted a two week continuance. Stevenson’s next court appearance will be a status hearing scheduled for September 15 at 9:00 a.m.
Watertown police say Stevenson intentionally swerved his fast-moving vehicle into the path of Meyer’s oncoming car on Highway 212 on the morning of September 17, 2019, killing her, and that his actions were a failed attempt to take his own life.
Stevenson remains in jail on a $1 million cash or surety bond.
(Watertown Radio contributed to this story.)
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