The criminal case for a Dawson County teenager accused of killing her brother in late 2020 is now active again, according to an order recently filed in Dawson County Superior Court.

Defendant Hope Lindsey was found mentally competent to stand trial earlier this year following two evaluations. 

Lindsey’s case was previously transferred from Northeastern Judicial Circuit Judge Andrew Fuller (who’s now retired) to Chief Judge Kathlene Gosselin to resolve questions surrounding the teen’s mental competency. 

“The defendant, having received the advice of legal counsel, declined to pursue a competency trial, and consented to an order finding her competent to stand trial,” stated the Sept. 28 order, which was signed by Gosselin. “Therefore, this court deems that it is in the best interest of the defendant and judicial economy to send this case back to the active docket.”

In March 2021, Lindsey was indicted on the formal charges of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault and aggravated battery.

The teen has been accused of fatally stabbing her brother, 11-year-old Payton Lindsey, at a west Dawson County residence on Dec. 5, 2020. Payton received multiple stab wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to a statement from Dawson County Sheriff Jeff Johnson at the time. 

Hope Lindsey, who was 14 years old at the time, was charged as an adult for the alleged crimes and is being held in the regional youth detention center after being denied bond. 

DCN will continue following this case.