A man that was previously found to be incompetent to stand trial for a triple murder in Pittsylvania County in 2019 has been found competent to stand trial. Matthew Bernard was arrested on August 27, 2019 for killing his mother, sister, and nephew.
The bodies of 62-year-old Joan Bernard, 24-year-old Emily Bivens and one-year-old Cullen Bivens were found at a home on Keeling Drive.
Bernard was previously ruled incompetent to stand trial nine times, but could be treated to restore his competency. According to WSET, a forensic report from April 2024 says that Bernard has been treated for schizophrenia and there has been a fairly large difference in his behavior.
Bernard’s next court date will be in August.