DECATUR - A 32-year-old Decatur man charged with first-degree murder in the stabbing death of his mother has been found incompetent to stand trial, following a forensic psychological examination by Dr. Terry Killian of Springfield.

Jack Jason Cole Jr. is in the Macon County Jail under $500,000 bond.

Defense attorney Karen Root said Killian found Cole suffered a severe manic episode June 7 and could not appreciate his criminal conduct when he stabbed his mother, Jane Cole, 60, to death in their home.

Circuit Judge Katherine McCarthy reviewed the psychiatrist's evaluation Friday and agreed with a request by Root and Assistant State's Attorney Steven Langhoff to schedule a stipulated bench trial, which will be Oct. 29.

At that time the judge will hear evidence agreed to by the prosecution and defense and is likely to make a finding that Cole is not mentally competent. The normal course of action is to remand such a person to the Illinois Department of Mental Health for incarceration and treatment until such time, if ever, that he becomes competent to stand trial.

Police officers went to the Cole residence at 630 E. Simpson St. on June 7 on a request to check the welfare of Jane Cole, whose daughter had been unable to contact her.

When officers arrived at 3:17 p.m., the defendant answered the door when they knocked. Officers observed wet blood on the entryway floor, blood that Cole was trying to pull a rug over to hide.

Once inside, officers found Jane Cole lying face down on the kitchen floor with a knife stuck in her back and a large pool of blood around her head and neck.

Detective James Atkinson said when officers spoke with Jack Cole, he stated he was a secret agent and could only speak with the president or vice president.

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