LEESBURG, Va. -- Elijah Bieniemy's criminal case is moving forward after a psychological evaluation determined that the son of Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is competent to receive counsel and understand the charges against him.
The competency evaluation, which was filed under seal Sept. 3, marked the first hurdle in Elijah Bieniemy's criminal case. His new attorney told reporters after a hearing Wednesday that the case is moving forward because the evaluation deemed him competent.
Bieniemy appeared via video feed Wednesday at a brief procedural hearing in Loudoun County Domestic Relations Court, where Jeff Mangeno, an attorney from the Virginia law firm Dycio and Biggs, asked a judge for a 60-day continuance to review the case. Bieniemy had previously been represented by a public defender, who requested a mental health evaluation before the case could proceed.
"The defendant appears to suffer from significant mental health issues," the public defender, Lorie O'Donnell, wrote in a court filing requesting the evaluation.
The results of the competency evaluation were not discussed at Wednesday's hearing, but Mangeno addressed them in response to questions from reporters afterward. The competency determination does not preclude his attorneys from later arguing that Bieniemy should be found not guilty by reason of insanity, Mangeno said.
Bieniemy, 27, is facing multiple felony charges, including malicious wounding, after he allegedly shot his mother, Mia, at the family's Virginia townhouse in late July.
Eric Bieniemy told reporters last month that his wife is on track to make a full recovery.
Elijah Bieniemy's next court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 4.
