Escapee from mental hospital makes first court appearance

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — An escapee from the Washington state's largest psychiatric hospital who was captured on Friday night has made his first appearance in federal court.

U.S. Magistrate James P. Hutton on Monday said it was impossible to determine the mental competence of Anthony Garver and ordered that Garver remain in custody until his competence could be established. A disheveled-looking Garver was wearing chains as he appeared in federal court on a charge of violating supervised release.

His attorney, Peter Schweda, said it would be unfair to make Garver, also known as Anthony Burke, enter a plea at this time. Garver's next court appearance is April 21.

Garver escaped last week from Western State Hospital in Lakewood, where he was being held after he was accused of torturing a 20-year-old woman to death in Lake Stevens in 2013.