Two charges filed against a Pittsfield man related to a 2024 incident have been dismissed in the Court of Common Pleas.

Casey M. Skinner of Pittsfield had been charged with terroristic threats with intent to terrorize another and harassment by the State Police at Warren for an alleged incident in Pittsfield. State Police responded to a Route 6 home in Pittsfield in November 2024 for a domestic dispute between Skinner and a woman. During the dispute, Skinner allegedly pinned the woman against a counter top and threatened her.

Once the case got to court, Skinner’s bail that had originally been set at $15,000 was increased to $75,000 cash after Skinner allegedly refused to answer questions at his bail hearing and walked out of court. The judge then considered Skinner a flight risk and increased bail.

In the Court of Common Pleas, Judge Maureen Skerda, now retired, ordered a psychiatric evaluation in February 2025 that was followed by a motion to determine competency by Kord Kinney of the county Public Defender’s Office.

In August 2025 Skinner was transferred to the Torrance State Hospital, operated by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS), which provides inpatient treatment for people with severe and persistent mental illness. It and Norristown State Hospital (formerly known as “The State Lunatic Asylum at Norristown”) are the only two hospitals in Pennsylvania which care for mentally ill patients who have committed major crimes. Torrance generally admits patients after hospitalization at a community health care facility. If the treating physician determines that the patient requires longer term involuntary psychiatric treatment, the appropriate state agency initiates a referral to Torrance.

In October, Skerda granted an order committing Skinner to the Torrance State Hospital until competency was regained followed by a modification of bail motion from the Public Defender’s Office that was also granted by Skerda. December brought a motion by the Public Defender’s Office for a Continued Competency Restoration that was granted by Skerda. In February, the Public Defender’s Office filed a motion for modification of bail, to dismiss charges and discharge Skinner from criminal detention. Judge Todd Woodin of the Court of Common Pleas held a 304c petition hearing on March 13. A 304c hearing is a legal filing used in Pennsylvania to transition a person from voluntary inpatient or outpatient treatment to extended involuntary treatment (up to 90 days). A hearing is mandatory, featuring testimony from psychiatrists regarding ongoing severe mental illness, after which a mental health review officer determines the necessity of further care. Woodin approved the order March 13, followed by dismissing the criminal charges against Skinner on March 25.