Trial-competency test set for West Toledo father

7/24/2008

A Toledo father charged with trying to kill himself and his 4-year-old daughter by asphyxiation will be evaluated to determine whether he is competent to stand trial.

Thomas Bragg, 46, of 4129 Willys Pkwy. appeared yesterday in Lucas County Common Pleas Court on two charges of attempt to commit murder and one count of felonious assault. At the request of his appointed attorney, Jack Viren, Mr. Bragg will be evaluated by the Court Diagnostic and Treatment Center. Judge Linda Jennings set his bond at $1.2 million and scheduled a competency hearing for Aug. 20. Mr. Bragg is in the county jail.

Police said Mr. Bragg put his daughter into his vehicle about 4 a.m. July 9 and told her that they were going camping. He then drove to a parking lot near Telegraph and West Stateline roads and attached a hose from the vehicle s exhaust pipe to the rear passenger window. A passer-by noticed the running vehicle and called police.

Mr. Bragg s wife had told her husband the week before that she was filing for divorce.