Fox Chapel man charged in 2 homicides deemed legally incompetent, hearing delayed

A Fox Chapel man accused of killing another man and leaving his body near the Settlers Ridge Road home he shared with his parents has been deemed “legally incompetent” to stand trial, his attorney said Tuesday.

Adam Rosenberg, 22, is charged with homicide and other offenses in connection with the death of Christian Moore-Rouse, 22, of Verona.

Authorities said Moore-Rouse was lured to Rosenberg’s home under the pretense the two would play video games and smoke marijuana, but he was shot in the back of the head shortly upon his arrival and dragged to a wooded area nearby.

Mike Manko, spokesman for Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr., said a preliminary hearing set for July 22 was postponed so Rosenberg could undergo further psychiatric evaluation. Online court records show a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 9.

Casey White, one of three attorneys representing Rosenberg, said medical professionals determined Rosenberg wasn’t able to assist in his own defense, and should be deemed legally incompetent.

Common Pleas Judge Edward J. Borkowski agreed and signed an order to have Rosenberg transferred from Allegheny County Jail to Torrance State Hospital in Derry for mental health treatment and evaluation, according to White.

The order was signed July 1, but Rosenberg remained in Allegheny County Jail on Tuesday, waiting to be transferred to the hospital, White said.

White declined to say what type of diagnoses his client has.

“We’re hoping that the transfer is imminent given the time that has passed,” White said.

Rosenberg also faces charges in connection to the Feb. 15 homicide of Jeremy Dentel, 28, whose body was found inside his Baldwin home. Rosenberg was charged with Dentel’s death Feb. 19, the same day an unidentified witness tipped police about a possible body being in the woods near Rosenberg’s house.

Moore-Rouse was last seen alive Dec. 21, and his body was found more than two months later, March 3, according to authorities. He was half-dressed in the same outfit he had on the day he went to Rosenberg’s.

Rosenberg pleaded not guilty to the charges in the Dentel case in March, but a judge ultimately ordered him to stand trial. Police said Dentel was shot once in the head with a 9mm handgun on the evening of Feb. 16, during an exchange inside his home that lasted less than a minute.

A status hearing in that case is set for Oct. 28.

White said Rosenberg’s family was “glad that some diagnoses were made” and “hopeful and optimistic that he will receive proper treatment.”

“Once he’s treated and ruled competent, then we look forward to presenting both of our applicable defenses in both of his pending matters,” White said.