- Kobold, 19, faces two counts of murder and one count of aggravated assault.
- Shanelle Burns, a 43-year-old mother, was found not breathing in her home
- Kobold is attempting to act as his own lawyer, pending a mental health check
A 19-year-old Indiana man now faces decades in prison and questions about his mental health after he allegedly strangled his mother to death.
Conner Kobold, 19, has been charged with two counts of murder and one count of aggravated assault in connection with the death of his mother, Shanelle Burns, 43.
On February 5, police were dispatched to the home where Kobold and Burns lived in Valparaiso.
Burns was found unconscious and not breathing in the living room as Kobold shockingly confessed to strangling her. She was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Kobold now faces mental health investigations over his decision to represent himself at trial and why he allegedly killed his mother.
Conner Kobold, 19, has been charged with two counts of murder and one count of aggravated assault in connection with the death of his mother, Shanelle Burns, 43.
The situation had become so tense between mother and son that she issued him an eviction notice.
He gave her 30 days to find a full-time job, clean her room and help out around the house. This is believed to be what pushed Kobold over the edge.
As Kobold attempts to be his own attorney, Superior Court Judge Michael Fish asked a mental health professional to investigate his competency.
“I want Dr. (Anand) Popli to give his opinion on whether you are capable of representing yourself,” Fish said Friday.
Fish asked: “I guess the most important thing right from the start is to make sure you understand that the penalty for murder is 45 to 65 years. Do you understand that?”
“Yes, your honor,” Kobold said.
Fish also tried to explain to him the advantages and disadvantages of being your own lawyer and the qualifications they usually have.
He was then asked: ‘Do you believe you have any skills or abilities that would help you represent yourself?’
Burns gave his son 30 days to find a full-time job, clean his room, and help out around the house. Here’s what’s believed to have pushed Kobold over the edge
Kobold replied: “I think my case is so unique that the only person who can explain what happened and why it happened is myself.”
Fish asked Kobold about his educational background, his experiences in the courtroom and public speaking.
Kobold said he has a high school education, had spoken publicly while in school, but had never been in a courtroom before.
She later admitted that she had been to mental health facilities twice and had been through five different psychologists.
Kobold said that despite his challenges, he would not be affected by acting on his own behalf in court.
He was then asked if he planned to enter a plea or go to trial in his first act as her attorney.
“I will do everything I can to help the court and the jury make the best decision about my situation,” Kobold said.
After being informed that he had to make that decision himself, he said he would first negotiate with the state.
On February 5, police were dispatched to the home where Kobold and Burns lived in Valparaiso.
Fish gave Kobold a waiver to represent himself pending what the doctor says about the defendant’s mental health.
If convicted on all three counts, Kobold faces 45 to 84 years in prison and $20,000 in fines.
The trial date is set for August 6.
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