Man pleads not guilty to guardian's murder

Toledoan accused of assaulting couple

8/30/2012

A Toledo man who was found competent to stand trial pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Lucas County Common Pleas Court to charges related to allegations that he beat his elderly guardian to death.

Julian Boyd, 38, of 2103 Parkdale Ave. is charged with murder and misdemeanor domestic violence. If convicted, he faces up to life in prison.

Mr. Boyd is charged in the May 5 assault on Raymond Darden, 81, who along with his wife, Marion, 81, were serving as the man's guardians. Authorities said the domestic violence charge stems from an assault on Mrs. Darden during the same incident.

Judge James Jensen referred to evaluations before ruling that Mr. Boyd was competent to stand trial.

At the request of defense attorney Jane Roman, the judge referred Mr. Boyd to the Court Diagnostic and Treatment Center to determine whether he was eligible for a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity. A Sept. 26 hearing date was set for results of the evaluation.

Authorities said Mr. Boyd is accused of punching Mrs. Darden and beating Mr. Darden. Mrs. Darden has recovered from her injuries.

The felony charge against him was elevated this month from felonious assault to murder as a result of Mr. Darden's death in July after time in a nursing facility. An autopsy report listed blunt-force trauma as the cause of death.