A Bladenboro man accused of killing his father’s fiancee a year ago was ruled capable of proceeding to trial Monday during a competency hearing in Bladen County Superior Court.
Marquail Allen Burney, 22, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Crystal Dionne Cruz last October.
In February, Burney was declared not competent to stand trial based on a mental health evaluation. He was sent to a state psychiatric hospital for treatment.
According to Bladen County Sheriff James McVicker, officers were called to the residence of David Burney on N.C. 41 West about 11:37 p.m. on Oct. 13, 2015, after David Burney reported Cruz missing. David Burney told investigators that he had arrived home from work and thought Cruz was asleep in the bedroom. When he went to check, he noticed she was missing.
David Burney told investigators that Marquail Burney had left the residence on foot after David Burney questioned him about Cruz’s disappearance, McVicker said. After a search near the residence, Cruz’s body was found in a vehicle in the backyard.
David Burney, Marquail Burney and Cruz all lived at the residence.
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