Wisconsin court finds man competent in teen drowning death case

MARINETTE, WI – A 21-year-old man accused in the drowning death of a 13-year-old boy with autism will move forward to trial after a Marinette County judge accepted a psychological evaluation finding him competent, clearing the way for a high-profile homicide case tied to a fatal incident at a public pier.

Tylor Birch appeared Thursday in court, where both prosecutors and defense attorneys agreed to accept the competency report. Birch faces a charge of reckless homicide in connection with the death of Jakob Bowerman, who died after being thrown into a lake in August. His next court appearance is scheduled for April 30.

Case details outlined in...