Man accused of killing Kettering woman, dumping body, pleads insanity

Terrel Ross

Terrel Ross

A man accused of killing a woman and dumping her body in the dumpster in Kettering has entered a not guilty by reason of insanity plea and was ordered to undergo mental evaluations in the case.

Terrel M. Ross, 37, is facing charges of murder, felonious assault, tampering with evidence and gross abuse of a corpse in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court. Ross is accused in the killing of Sierra Dawn Woodfork, the woman whose body was found Jan. 18 wrapped in a blanket in the dumpster at an apartment complex she lived at.

Ross allegedly told police that he killed her Jan. 12 and first placed her in a closet and then inside a refrigerator before moving her to the dumpster. He is being held at the Montgomery County Jail on $1 million bond.

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He made his not guilty by reason of insanity plea through his attorney, Lucas Wilder. The attorney also said in a motion that he is unsure if his client can help in his own defense.

“Based upon counsel’s interaction with the defendant, review of the discovery in this case and discussing defendant’s past medical history, counsel is of the opinion that defendant’s competency to stand trial may be an issue and his sanity needs to be determined,” a motion in the case says.

Montgomery County Common Pleas Judge Steven Dankoff ordered that Ross undergo an examination at the Forensic Psychiatry Center for Western Ohio and said that psychiatrist will make a report.

“If the examiner reports that the defendant was insane at the time of the offense, a recommendation should be given as to the least restrictive commitment alternative consistent with the defendant’s treatment needs and the safety of the community,” an order from the judge says.

The judge ordered that the report be given to the court on April 15, and a hearing will take place on April 22.

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