Mirror staff reports:

A King County Superior Court judge dismissed a first-degree murder charge against a Federal Way man in the death his elderly mother.

Jerry W. Thompson, 67, was accused of shooting and killing his mother, Alberta J. Thompson, 88. On April 14, 2010, Federal Way police were dispatched to the 30200 block of 26th Place South for a welfare check. Upon arrival, police forced entry into the residence and found Alberta Thompson deceased with a gunshot wound. Jerry Thompson was also found in the residence with a single gunshot wound to the head, according to reports.

Thompson and his mother lived in a home in Federal Way. He acted as her caregiver for more than 20 years. Thompson was frustrated and worried about his mother’s declining health and how he could continue to care for her, according to charging papers.

In September 2010, King County Superior Court Judge Ronald Kessler reviewed the evaluation and ruled that Thompson was incompetent to stand trial. Thompson was ordered to undergo further treatment and an evaluation at Western State Hospital.

In dismissing the murder charge, Judge Theresa Doyle said that Thompson’s head injury made him unable to retain new information, and that amnesia over the details of the murder and suicide attempt would render any trial unfair, according to KIRO News.