Defense seeks competency evaluation for Effingham County stabbing suspect

EFFINGHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) - Defense attorneys for James Barla have filed a motion asking the court to order a competency evaluation.

Barla is charged with murder in the March 18th stabbing death of Chapin Michael McRee, 29, the owner of a local construction business who had hired Barla as a part-time employee.

Defense cites mental health concerns

Barla’s attorneys argue he cannot afford the evaluation and request it be done at the public’s expense.

His attorney says there is reason to believe he may suffer from a mental condition that could have impacted his ability to distinguish right from wrong at the time of the alleged incident, or possibly involved a delusional compulsion.

The motion asks for a qualified psychiatrist to examine Barla and provide a report addressing whether he could distinguish right from wrong, whether a delusional compulsion influenced his actions, and whether any psychological condition affected his mental competence at the time.

Barla’s defense has also filed a motion requesting a psychological evaluation.

His attorney says Barla, who is being held in the Effingham County Jail, cannot afford the evaluation and is asking the court to approve it also at the public’s expense.

He is due back in court on June 11 for ‘criminal motion calendar regarding the motion for competency and criminal responsibility.’

What investigators say happened

Effingham County Sheriff’s Office investigators testified at a preliminary hearing that McRee and Barla had a friendly relationship. The investigator in court said McRee went to Barla’s grandchildren’s birthday party a week or two before the incident.

Despite that, deputies said McRee was later seen bleeding from stab wounds as he jumped from his moving car to get away from Barla, who was allegedly in the passenger seat.

Investigators testified the two were last seen about 30 minutes earlier on a Parker’s gas station security camera, walking out together.

see previous coverage: https://www.wtoc.com/2026/04/03/i-lost-piece-myself-family-construction-company-owner-speaks-out-after-employee-is-charged-his-death/

“They walk out at the same time and they were walking side by side talking to each other,” Investigator Rahn said. “There’s no aggressive posture or nobody looks angry or upset.”

After McRee ran from the vehicle, the detective said he was seen yelling at passing cars for help. The investigator testified some witnesses were hesitant to stop because of Barla’s actions.

“One witness that was in a white Dodge said he grabbed on the door handle and when the door wouldn’t open, he started stabbing at the passenger side window with some type of sharp object,” Inv. Rahn said.

McRee was taken to Memorial Hospital with five stab wounds and later died, according to testimony.

Bond denied

Investigators also testified Barla suffered injuries including a severed foot, more than a dozen stitches and head trauma after a garbage truck ‘encountered him’ at the scene. Inv. Rahn said Barla allegedly jumped toward the truck.

“That’s when Barla jumped out in front of him and he described it as running at the truck like he was going to square up and fight the truck,” Rahn said.

Barla’s mother, Paula Barla, previously argued in court that he should be released on bond due to medical needs.

The judge denied bond, citing concerns including Barla’s criminal history. Prosecutors said Barla has gone through 23 arrest cycles and was already out on bond for battery charges in Bryan County at the time of this incident.

Investigators have not said what led up to the alleged stabbing or why it happened, and Barla’s motive remains unknown.

Victim remembered

McRee’s mother, Courtney O’Rear, said the family does not know why he was killed. She described her son as someone who treated his employees with kindness, saying he had hired Barla part-time as a favor.

“It’s truly like I lost a piece of myself. And I don’t ever know if I’ll feel whole again,” O’Rear said.

McRee leaves behind a wife, two children, Christopher, 4, and Charlie, 8 months.

McRee’s wife, Kaycie Stewart, said she learned what happened through her father, who lives nearby.

“He called me back and informed me what happened.... since that day I’ve been completely shattered,” Stewart said. “I’ve lost the love of my life, the father of my kids, and my whole person.”

A GoFundMe for Stewart and the children has raised more than $20,000. You can find that link to donate here.