Former Turnstile Guitarist Brady Ebert Deemed Incompetent as Attempted Murder Case Is Put on Hold
With his September trial halted, Ebert has been transferred to state health custody ahead of another competency hearing in January.
Former Turnstile guitarist Brady Ebert has been found mentally incompetent to stand trial in the attempted murder case involving William Yates, the father of Turnstile vocalist Brendan Yates.
Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge Karla Smith issued the ruling during a hearing Tuesday, Sept. 22. Smith also determined that Ebert currently presents a danger to himself and others, ordering him into the custody of the Maryland Department of Health.
Ebert's competency will be evaluated again during a hearing scheduled for Jan. 19, 2027. His trial had previously been set to begin Sept. 25.
The ruling does not determine whether Ebert committed the alleged offenses. A competency decision concerns a defendant's present ability to understand the legal proceedings and meaningfully assist in preparing a defense. The criminal case cannot move forward unless Ebert's competency is restored.
Ebert is charged with attempted first- and second-degree murder and other offenses stemming from an incident outside the Yates family's home in Silver Spring, Maryland, on March 29.
According to charging documents, members of the Yates family told police that Ebert arrived near the residence honking his horn and shouting before an argument escalated. Authorities allege that Ebert then used his vehicle to chase and intentionally strike William Yates, leaving him with severe injuries to his legs. Yates underwent surgery following the incident.
Ebert has denied committing a crime and has maintained that he acted in self-defense. He was arrested the day after the incident and has remained in custody without bond.
Questions about Ebert's competency arose during a Sept. 3 pretrial hearing, when his attorney, Mark Sobel, told the court that he had significant concerns about Ebert's ability to understand the charges and participate in his defense. Ebert objected to the evaluation, declared himself competent and accused his attorney of working with prosecutors.
During Tuesday's hearing, Ebert reportedly asked to address the court about what he described as an "extreme miscarriage of justice." After Smith declined to let him discuss the case following the competency ruling, Ebert began shouting, claimed that he had fired Sobel, and was eventually escorted from the courtroom.
Sobel said afterward that Ebert's behavior demonstrated the concerns surrounding his current mental state. He expressed hope that treatment would allow Ebert's competency to be restored so the case could eventually proceed to trial.
Ebert co-founded Turnstile with Brendan Yates in 2010 and performed on the band's first three studio albums: Nonstop Feeling, Time & Space, and Glow On. He parted ways with the Baltimore hardcore group in 2022 after an extended absence from its touring lineup.
Following Ebert's arrest, Turnstile said it had severed ties with him because of what the band described as an escalating pattern of harmful behavior and threats. The group also confirmed that William Yates survived the incident and successfully underwent surgery.
The charges against Ebert remain pending while he receives treatment through the Maryland Department of Health. No new trial date has been set.
