MURRAY – In court this morning, Calloway Circuit Judge Andrea Moore announced her finding that Chyanne Niemeyer is competent to stand trial. Moore said that she has a couple of additions to make to the order but further advised that she would enter it by Tuesday afternoon.
Niemeyer and Nathaniel Gibson were arrested in October 2023 and charged with first-degree murder and first-degree criminal abuse of a child under the age of 12 following the death of Niemeyer’s 17-month-old daughter.
Allegedly, both told Murray Police Department Detective Justin Swope that the burns resulted from “scalding” hot bathwater. Both claimed they attempted to get the toddler out of the water but could not because of the temperature, but Swope noted in his report that neither Niemeyer nor Gibson had any redness on their hands or arms.
When it became evident to Niemeyer that her daughter’s skin was being profoundly damaged, she removed the girl from the tub and treated her wounds by applying BENGAY, which is an ointment designed to provide relief for muscle and joint pain, backaches and minor arthritis pain that, according to package instructions, should not be applied to damaged skin. Swope’s report also noted “strong medicine odor” coming from the child.
Prior to her circuit court arraignment in December 2023, Niemeyer’s attorney Cheri Riedel, directing attorney for the Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy Murray Trial Office, filed a notice with the court questioning her client’s competency to stand trial. Riedel cited her interactions with Niemeyer and “other information obtained” as the basis for her belief that the defendant suffers from an intellectual disability and “lacks the capacity to appreciate the nature and consequences of the proceedings against her and to participate rationally in her own defense.”
The Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center evaluated Niemeyer in April 2024 at the request of the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office. The defense expert’s evaluation was conducted in July 2024. Niemeyer’s competency hearing was originally set in December but was postponed to March 10 due to scheduling conflicts.
At the March hearing, both experts agreed that Niemeyer suffers from a mild cognitive disability; however, they came to different conclusions regarding her competency to stand trial. After listening to hours of testimony and arguments from counsel, Moore advised that she needed additional time to review the evidence before ruling.
Editor’s note: This is a breaking story. Please check back for The Sentinel’s full write-up.
Related coverage:
Murray couple pleads not guilty to murder in toddler death
Niemeyer and Gibson cases advance to grand jury
Grand jury returns indictments in child abuse case
Mother’s competency to stand trial questioned
Niemeyer’s counsel requests additional evidence be collected
