Competency Evaluation Ordered
Former Turnstile Guitarist Brady Ebert Ordered to Undergo Competency Evaluation Before Trial
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Key Points
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Beyond attempted first-degree murder and assault, Ebert is also charged with attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault and two counts of second-degree assault.
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Ebert reportedly accused his previous lawyer of accepting a bribe, in addition to alleging that his current attorney, Mark Sobel, was working with prosecutors.
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Police were called to a Silver Spring property after finding William Yates in the front yard with trauma to his lower extremities; Ebert has asserted that video footage would contradict the police account and prove his innocence.
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Before the Maryland case, Ebert was reportedly fired from his subsequent band, The S.E.T. (The Self Evident Truth), after a social-media post accusing Turnstile of political bandwagoning and financial mismanagement during his time with the group.
Brady Ebert, guitarist for Grammy-winning rock band Turnstile, must undergo a court-ordered competency evaluation before trial on attempted first-degree murder charges in Maryland, Yahoo News reported. Ebert allegedly drove into William Yates, a 79-year-old man and father of Turnstile frontman Brendan Yates, and faces life in prison if convicted. He denies all charges, insisting the incident was "pure self-defense" and claiming video evidence will prove his innocence.
The evaluation was ordered after Ebert's defense attorney, Mark Sobel, expressed serious concerns about his mental fitness to stand trial. Ebert has accused Sobel of colluding with prosecutors, threatened to fire him, and claimed he may pursue charges against authorities. He is being held without bail, with trial reportedly scheduled for October 5.
The Charges and Ebert's Self-Defense Claims
Ebert faces multiple felony charges including attempted first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault, and two counts of second-degree assault, Yahoo News reported. Police responded to a Silver Spring property where William Yates was found in the front yard with trauma to his lower extremities. Ebert has rejected the police account entirely, claiming video footage will prove his version of events.
The defendant insists his actions were self-defensive but has not disclosed what threat he believed he faced. His legal strategy hinges partly on the existence of video evidence he says contradicts police findings. No details about the alleged video have been made public.
Defense Counsel Troubles and Competency Questions
Ebert has made serious accusations against both his current and former attorneys. He alleged his previous lawyer accepted a bribe and claims his current attorney, Mark Sobel, is working with prosecutors against him. These disputes delayed proceedings and prompted the court to order the competency evaluation.
A competency evaluation assesses whether a defendant understands court proceedings and can rationally assist in their own defense. It does not determine guilt or innocence. Ebert's stated intention to fire his attorney and his insistence that the entire police account is false raised red flags for the court about his ability to work constructively with counsel.
Turnstile's 2022 Split and Pattern of Behavior
Turnstile parted ways with Ebert in 2022, citing what it described as a pattern of harmful behavior and threats of violence. After leaving Turnstile, Ebert joined another band called The S.E.T. (The Self Evident Truth), but was later fired from that group following a social media post accusing Turnstile of political bandwagoning and financial mismanagement.
While the band conflicts provide background context, a criminal court must evaluate admissible evidence about the alleged vehicle assault itself. Reputational disputes or past interpersonal conflicts are not proof of the Maryland charges. The trial, if it proceeds, will focus on what happened on the day William Yates was injured.
Timeline Ahead: Evaluation, Hearing, and Trial
Ebert will complete the competency evaluation before his next court hearing on September 22. Yahoo News reported that trial is scheduled for October 5. If the evaluation determines Ebert is competent, proceedings will move forward. If he is found incompetent, the court may order treatment or delay trial.
Ebert remains in custody without bail. His legal team will need to resolve representation issues before trial begins. The competency evaluation results could significantly reshape how the case proceeds and whether Ebert can mount an effective defense strategy.
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