A Bradford county man facing murder charges has been declared competent to stand trial. On Monday a judge denied a defense motion by attorneys for John Joseph DeSisti, who is charged with murder and burglary in the 2006 slaying of David and Carol Keeffe. DeSisti was originally scheduled to go to trial last year until the question of his mental competency was raised by the defense. A two-day hearing was held on the matter in October. Authorities allege that the murders were the result of a long-standing property dispute between DeSisti and Carol Keeffe, who is his cousin. DeSisti has pleaded “not guilty” on the charges and remains behind bars at the State Correctional Facility in Waymart. The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office has said it will seek the death penalty in this case. No trial date has yet been set.
