Nov. 26 – An Arnold man charged in the fatal stabbing of his mother last summer has been declared competent to stand trial.
Brian Rebold, 38, has been in jail since he was charged Aug. 4 with criminal homicide and first-degree murder in connection with the death of his 73-year-old mother outside her Liberty Avenue home.
Police said Rebold stabbed his mother several times during a dispute.
According to court records, Diana Rebold’s body was found injured in the street with her son standing nearby. Police said Rebold confessed to stabbing his mother in the throat and back. Detectives also identified multiple stab wounds to her head.
Rebold’s murder case has been on hold for months as attorneys questioned his mental competency after concerns were raised during a detainee hearing. Prosecutors sought to revoke Rebold’s parole for an unrelated terroristic threat conviction.
Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court Judge Scott Mears said Tuesday that an independent psychologist determined Rebold is qualified to assist attorneys in defending the pending withdrawal case and the new murder charge.
Rebold is scheduled to appear before New Kensington District Judge Frank J. Pallone Jr. in late January. for a preliminary hearing in the murder case. Assistant District Attorney Adam Barr said prosecutors will try to expedite the hearing.
Rebold pleaded guilty in April last year to the single offense of terroristic threats and was sentenced to 23 months in prison, released on parole and ordered to participate in a mental health treatment program.
In court documents that were part of his guilty plea, Rebold reported earlier this year that he had previously been diagnosed and treated for schizophrenia.
According to court records, Rebold has other prior convictions related to violent crimes, including convictions for assaulting three people at the New Kensington YMCA in 2020 and for an assault while in jail last year.
He pleaded guilty to the prison assault in July, just two weeks before the fatal stabbing, and was sentenced to 8 to 23 months behind bars. He was released on parole after receiving credit for time served.
Rich Cholodofsky is a TribLive reporter covering Westmoreland County government, politics and the courts. He can be reached at rcholodofsky@triblive.com.
