A judge in Montgomery County took significant steps Thursday concerning the case of Catherine Hoggle, the mother who has been charged with the murders of her two young children, which occurred 12 years ago. During the proceedings, Hoggle is seeking to enter a plea of not criminally responsible, Maryland’s terminology for an insanity defense.
Circuit Court Judge James Bonifant presided over an hour of arguments presented by both the prosecution and defense. Hoggle’s legal team highlighted five issues related to discovery evidence, prominently featuring the initial video interview conducted with her at the time of her arrest.
Judge Bonifant had previously deemed Hoggle competent to proceed to trial late last year. In a new development, he has ordered an updated mental health evaluation, which could potentially postpone Hoggle’s trial, originally slated to commence in October.
The tragic case involves Hoggle’s two children, Sarah, aged 3, and Jacob, aged 2, who were last reported seen on September 7, 2014. To date, their remains have not been located.
In the years following their disappearance, Hoggle, who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, was initially found incompetent to stand trial, and as a result, murder charges against her were dropped in 2022. However, she was re-indicted in August of last year, bringing the case back into focus.
During the court session on Thursday, Bonifant expressed a desire to reach a resolution in the case as swiftly as possible. Another hearing is scheduled for this coming Monday.
The prospect of further delays has caused frustration for Troy Turner, the father of the missing children. He expressed his discontent by stating, “The only thing that’s changed in 12 years is which entrance to the courthouse I use.”
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