Despite court order, accused serial killer Fredrick Scott remains on wait list for state mental hospital

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Accused serial killer Fredrick Scott remains in jail despite a judge’s order to commit him to a state mental hospital in Fulton almost two months ago.

The murder case is currently suspended so Scott can be evaluated by the Department of Mental Health.

Thursday’s status conference revealed a long waiting list of patients and the reality that Scott hasn’t been prioritized because he’s currently stable.

A representative for the Department of Mental Health explained Scott is still on the list and in the meantime a mobile team from DMH has met with Scott via Webex.

Scott attended the hearing via Zoom and sat quietly in glasses and braids as lawyers and a judge discussed the next steps in the case.

Another status conference will take place in November.

The family of murder victim Mike Darby was present at the hearing. Afterward, a family member raised concerns that the case continues to be “kicked down the road.”

The competency question

The case has dragged on for more than six years. It’s been agonizing for the family and friends of the victims.

Mike Darby’s family has been the most public about their frustrations with delays describing what they are experiencing as legal purgatory.

Also Read: LEGAL PURGATORY: Road to justice long, tiring for families in Indian Creek Trail killings

Scott has been found both competent and incompetent by different mental health professionals. Much of it appears to be connected to medication compliance.

Scott was previously given a long-acting shot which controlled symptoms but he lost weight and was allowed to switch back to oral medication. Compliance fell apart in July.

At a July court hearing, Scott cursed at numerous people in court, including the judge and said people were “lying.” He was eventually removed from the courtroom.

Case history

Investigators called the murders the “KC Trail Area Homicides,” but most people who follow the case simply call it the “Indian Creek Trail Killings.”

Most of the killings were middle-aged white men on or near trails in 2016 and 2017. One victim was a woman.

The victims of serial killer Frederick Scott.(KCTV5/Angie Ricono)

The string of killings baffled investigators for months. Prosecutors charged Scott based on DNA and surveillance video taken near a crime scene.

The suspect had no connection to any of the victims—It’s believed they were all strangers he followed.

Mike Darby was the fourth victim.

He was killed on May 18, 2017, as he was out walking his lab Coach and Sadie along the Indian Creek Trial.

Investigators say he was shot in the back of the head.

In court documents, Scott confessed to some of the shootings when he was questioned by police. He also told police he reported his guns stolen to distance himself from the shootings.

Scott reportedly whispered during an interrogation, “They didn’t see it coming.”

What’s next in the case

Scott’s public defender has floated the idea that there may never be a trial because Scott is simply too sick to be found competent for an extended period.

“Some people are mentally ill- period,” said public defender Patrick Berrigan in July.

On Thursday, Berrigan openly questioned if Scott was taking the correct dose and pointed out Scott is being given medicine at night despite the fact that he’s supposed to get medication with food.

Berrigan asked to be on the record pointing out that the current path has been unsuccessful in the past.