Aaron Wright was set to stand trial this week in the stabbing death of a Lawrence woman, but his competency evaluation prompted a Douglas County judge to find that he is unfit for trial and needs treatment at Larned State Hospital first.
Jina Anne Reyes-Woehler, 35, died from stab wounds the morning of Aug. 29, 2025 behind the former VFW building in the 1800 block of Massachusetts Street.
This is the second time Douglas County District Judge Amy Hanley ordered a competency evaluation for Wright. In December, an examiner from Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center found that Wright was able to participate in legal proceedings.
Hanley proceeded with a preliminary hearing in March, when Wright was bound over for jury trial on the charge of intentional second-degree murder.
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On July 14, Hanley suspended the trial and requested that Wright undergo a competency examination “based on the defendant’s inability to understand the charges.” The second competency hearing took place Monday, the day his trial was originally set to begin.
On Monday, Hanley reviewed a report from a provider at Bert Nash stating that Wright is “unable to understand the nature and purpose of the proceedings against him” or to make decisions. Both the defense attorneys and prosecutors accepted the report.
Wright will go on the list to be admitted to Larned State Hospital. That ruling from Hanley applies to this case and his other open cases.
Hanley said she has been frustrated with institutions like Larned not updating her when they’ve completed evaluations, even when she asks to be notified. She encouraged Wright’s attorneys to check in with Larned, as well.
Family and friends described Reyes-Woehler, a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, as a talented artist who could always lighten the mood and make people laugh.
Read more coverage of the case in the articles linked below and at this link.
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Wulfe Wulfemeyer (they/them), reporter and news editor, has worked with The Lawrence Times since May 2025. They can be reached at [email protected].
Read their complete bio here. Read their work for the Times here.
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