Judge Orders Competency Evaluation for Ex-Turnstile Guitarist in Attempted Murder Case
A judge has ordered former Turnstile guitarist Brady Ebert to undergo a competency evaluation before he can stand trial on a first-degree attempted murder charge. Ebert is accused of deliberately driving his car into William Yates, the father of Turnstile singer Brendan Yates, outside his home. The order matters because it could delay proceedings in a case where Ebert faces life imprisonment if convicted, while he continues to insist he acted in self-defence.
The competency evaluation was requested by Ebert's own defence attorney, Mark Sobel, who told Circuit Judge Eric Johnson he had "significant concerns" about his client, despite Ebert's insistence he is "perfectly competent" and that the police report is false. Ebert, 33, has been held without bail at Montgomery County Correctional Facility since April, and told the court he intends to dismiss Sobel over fears he is colluding with prosecutors. A status hearing is set for 22 September. Turnstile cut ties with Ebert in 2022, citing a pattern of harmful behaviour and escalating threats of violence.
- Ex-Turnstile guitarist Brady Ebert must undergo competency evaluation before trial
- Accused of ramming car into bandmate Brendan Yates's father
- Faces life in prison; next status hearing on 22 September
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Turnstile is an American rock band whose singer is Brendan Yates. Brady Ebert, 33, used to play guitar in the band, which cut ties with him in 2022 after citing harmful behaviour and escalating threats of violence.
Ebert is accused of driving into William Yates, Brendan Yates’s father, outside his home. He denies the account in the police report and says he acted in self-defence. He faces a first-degree attempted murder charge, which carries a possible life sentence if he is convicted.
Before a trial can proceed, the court must consider whether Ebert is able to take part in it. His defence lawyer raised concerns about his competency, while Ebert says he is competent and wants to dismiss the lawyer.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A competency evaluation can help ensure that a person facing a serious charge understands the proceedings and can meaningfully assist their lawyer, protecting the fairness and legitimacy of any eventual trial. The defence attorney’s stated concerns give the court a reason to seek an independent assessment, even though Ebert disputes that he is impaired.
The case against
An evaluation may delay a case with grave consequences for both the accused and the alleged victim, particularly when Ebert says he is competent and wants to contest the charge. Requiring an assessment despite his objection could also feel intrusive or undermine his control over his defence; a careful, prompt evaluation would therefore matter.