Competency evaluation sought for Delmont man accused of shooting at neighbor

An attorney for a Delmont man accused of trying to kill his neighbor is seeking a judge’s permission to have his client evaluated to determine if he is competent to stand trial.

Attorney James Crosby wrote in a motion filed in Westmoreland County court Wednesday that he has “serious concerns” about Terrence Kurhansky’s competency.

Kurhansky, 79, was arrested Sept. 17 on charges of attempted homicide, aggravated assault and related offenses. Police said he used a homemade 7mm rifle to fire a shot at his 56-year-old neighbor.

Several residents reported hearing a gunshot coming from Kurhansky’s Circle Drive home at 7:45 a.m. The neighbor told police he was standing next to his car when he heard the shot, but didn’t notice the bullet hole in his driver’s side door frame until later, according to court papers.

Kurhansky told investigators he fired one round because he wanted to hurt his neighbor, police said.

He is barred from owning firearms because of a recent court-ordered mental health commitment, according to court papers. In addition to the homemade rifle, police seized 7mm shell casings from a case hidden beneath Kurhansky’s bed and a .22-caliber rifle hidden in his basement.

Crosby asked Judge Timothy Krieger to appoint an expert to evaluate Kurhansky, who remains in the Westmoreland County Prison on $200,000 bail.

A Nov. 12 preliminary hearing is set.