A psychological evaluation has raised serious questions about whether a man accused of fatally stabbing a stranger on the Boise Greenbelt is competent to face trial, potentially delaying criminal proceedings while mental health treatment proceeds. The case highlights how Idaho’s legal system handles defendants deemed mentally unfit to understand charges and participate in their own defense—a process that can stretch months or years before a trial ever begins.
The Greenbelt Attack and Charges
Ross Wardlaw stands accused of attacking 25-year-old Jordan Harbst on the Boise Greenbelt in July. According to prosecutors, Wardlaw pushed Harbst to the ground and stabbed him multiple times. The two men did not know each other, and investigators have characterized the violence as an unprovoked assault on a stranger.
Competency Evaluation and Mental Health Findings
An August 4 psychological evaluation concluded that Wardlaw is not competent to stand trial. The evaluation found him unable to make informed decisions about treatment and determined he is “dangerously mentally ill,” according to court documents. A judge acknowledged the findings, stating that “Mr. Wardlaw at this time is not competent and … is unable to make informed decisions about treatment and is dangerously mentally ill.”, as first reported by the KIVI 6 On Your Side
The evaluation’s conclusion does not constitute a final ruling on competency—the judge has not yet made that determination. Instead, the findings set the stage for what could become a months-long process of mental health intervention before criminal proceedings resume. Public Defender Joseph Smethers argued that the evaluation provided sufficient grounds to move forward with treatment, telling the court, “So we would request that he be committed for treatment.”
The Competency Question in Idaho Courts
When a defendant is deemed incompetent to stand trial, Idaho law allows the criminal case to be suspended while the defendant undergoes mental health treatment aimed at restoring competency. That suspension halts all criminal proceedings, and prosecutors must prove the defendant is fit to proceed before a trial can resume.
A high-profile example is the case of Lori Vallow Daybell, whose murder trial was suspended in 2021 after a mental competency evaluation found her unfit to stand trial. Daybell underwent roughly 10 months of treatment at a state facility before a court found her restored to competency in April 2022, allowing her case to proceed to trial.
Idaho’s approach to mental illness in criminal cases differs markedly from many other states. In 1982, Idaho abolished the insanity defense entirely. Under current state law, a defendant’s mental condition is not a legal defense to criminal conduct. This means even if a defendant is deemed mentally ill, mental illness alone does not excuse criminal liability. However, the competency question remains separate: a person can be mentally ill and still be required to stand trial, but only if they understand the charges and can assist their attorney in their own defense.
Next Steps in the Wardlaw Case
Prosecutors Robert Bleazard has moved to gather additional information, subpoenaing mental health records from both the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and Intermountain Hospital. These records may provide the judge with a fuller picture of Wardlaw’s psychiatric history and current condition as the court prepares to rule on competency.
A follow-up hearing is scheduled for September 8. At that hearing, the judge will likely make a final determination on whether Wardlaw is competent to stand trial. If found incompetent, Wardlaw will be ordered into mental health treatment rather than prosecution, and the criminal case will remain suspended until—or unless—he is later found restored to competency.
What Comes Next
Ada County residents and Harbst’s family will be watching closely as the case unfolds in Ada County courts. The September 8 hearing will be a critical juncture; depending on the judge’s ruling, the case could move toward trial or enter a prolonged treatment phase. Those interested in following court proceedings can monitor Ada County court records or attend hearings, which are typically open to the public. Updates on the case will likely come through court filings and official court calendars.