After 10 months of treatment, Clarence Pedersen cannot stand trial. Pedersen, 65, had been charged with murder in the first degree for the death of Edward “Ed” Jones in Washington. Last November, Pedersen was ruled incompetent to stand trial. He was ordered to the Iowa Medical and Classification Center at the Oakdale Prison in Coralville. He underwent treatment designed to restore his competency. The court has declared Pedersen remains incompetent and would not benefit from further treatment. On Friday, the District Court for Washington County declared Pedersen would not stand trial. County Attorney John Gish stated, “I’m saddened that Ed’s family, friends, and the greater Washington community will not see justice for his senseless death.”

Gish adds that his office will proceed with the process of civil commitment. Those proceedings are confidential, but Gish says, “my office will do everything we can to protect the community within the limitations of Iowa’s mental health system, and try to keep Pedersen off the streets.” Pedersen remains in custody.