Kevin Grasha

kgrasha@enquirer.com

A 22-year-old Colerain Township man who prosecutors say sprayed a minivan with bullets, killing his teen sisters and severely wounding a third teen, is seeking a second opinion about whether he can use an insanity defense at trial.

A forensic psychologist has determined that Matthew Hayden does not meet the criteria for a not-guilty-by-reason-of-insanity defense, according to statements at a hearing Tuesday in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court. Hayden's attorneys, Norm Aubin and Bernard Mundy, said in court that they will ask for another evaluation.

Man accused of killing his sisters seeks insanity defense

Hayden has now twice been found competent to stand trial, meaning he understands the charges against him and can assist in his own defense. On Tuesday, Judge Robert Winkler ruled that Hayden is competent. Winkler said he was accepting the findings in a forensic psychologist's June 30 report.

Hayden is charged with two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder in the Oct. 21, 2015 incident. No trial date has been set.

His attorneys have previously said he has not formally been diagnosed with a mental illness but is being medicated.

Questions about Hayden's mental state began soon after the shooting, which happened in the driveway behind the Hayden family's home, where the minivan was parked.

Hayden used a 9 mm Beretta handgun, according to court documents. His two sisters, Sarah, 16, and Elizabeth, 17, were killed by the gunfire. Joshua Hacker, 17, survived but was severely wounded after being shot multiple times.

Treatment ordered for man accused of killing sisters