Suspect in Elwood officer's death withdraws insanity defense

MADISON COUNTY, Ind. - A man charged with killing an Elwood police officer during a 2022 traffic stop withdrew his insanity plea.




Attorneys for Carl Boards II claim he's experiencing delusions that affect his ability to stand trial. A judge had earlier ruled him competent for his death penalty trial in the 2022 shooting of Noah Shahnavaz.

That determination came after three separate mental health evaluations. At the time, Madison County Judge Andrew Hopper said there was "overwhelming evidence" that Boards was competent.




During a hearing on Tuesday, Hopper ordered three doctors to conduct new competency evaluations. An intellectual disability evaluation is ongoing, according to court records.




Boards faces multiple charges, including murder and resisting law enforcement, in connection with Shahnavaz's shooting.




Police arrested Boards in the early morning hours of July 31, 2022, in Elwood after investigators said he shot at Shahnavaz 36 times when the officer tried to conduct a traffic stop.

The 24-year-old was initially treated at an Elwood hospital before being flown to an Indianapolis-area facility. He died shortly after that.




Boards' trial is scheduled for January 2026, according to court records.



via: https://fox59.com/news/indycrime/suspect-in-elwood-officers-death-withdraws-insanity-defense/