A judge in Charleston has determined that Travis Wilson, charged in the 2020 killing of 63-year-old Tom DiLorenzo, is not competent to stand trial, halting progress toward a criminal trial in a case that has drawn local attention.
What the ruling means now
The order, issued Tuesday by Judge Young, follows a competency hearing that focused on whether Wilson can understand court proceedings and assist in his own defense. Wilson faces charges of murder and robbery in the shooting death of DiLorenzo, who was shot and killed in July 2020.
At the hearing, the court considered multiple evaluations conducted over several years that reached inconsistent conclusions about Wilson’s mental fitness. Testimony centered on a 2025 assessment presented to the court.
Evaluators’ findings
Dr. Christopher, a board-certified forensic psychologist who evaluated Wilson in 2025 and reviewed earlier assessments, testified that Wilson’s responses during testing were inconsistent.
“Sometimes he remembered things and sometimes he guessed. And sometimes he guessed correctly and sometimes he guessed incorrectly,” Dr. Christopher said, noting that Wilson would often say he did not know an answer before responding.
Dr. Christopher said that the pattern of inconsistent responses was central to her conclusion that Wilson is not competent to stand trial and is unlikely to be restored.
Defense response and next steps
Defense attorneys pointed to earlier evaluations closer to the time the charges were filed that found Wilson competent, arguing the record shows conflicting conclusions over the years. They requested an independent evaluation to help resolve the differences between assessors’ findings.
- Charges: Murder and robbery in the July 2020 death of Tom DiLorenzo.
- Key testimony: 2025 evaluation by Dr. Christopher, who concluded Wilson is not competent and unlikely to be restored.
- Defense position: Earlier evaluations found Wilson competent; defense asked for independent evaluation.
The court’s order pauses trial proceedings while matters related to competency remain unresolved. The ruling does not resolve guilt or innocence; rather, it addresses Wilson’s current ability to participate in his defense. The record indicates conflicting assessments over time, but the most recent evaluator testified the defendant is not competent.
| Timeline | Detail |
|---|---|
| July 2020 | Tom DiLorenzo was shot and killed. |
| 2025 | Dr. Christopher conducted a competency evaluation and reviewed prior assessments. |
| July 2026 | Judge Young issued an order finding Travis Wilson not competent to stand trial. |
Officials from the solicitor’s office or the College of Charleston did not provide statements in the material reviewed by the court. The competency finding may prompt further evaluations or court proceedings to determine appropriate next steps under state law. Defense attorneys have specifically asked for an independent evaluation to address the conflicting assessments in the record.
Residents following the case should expect additional court filings and hearings before any criminal trial can move forward. The ruling centers on Wilson’s mental state and does not change the charges pending against him.
