SENECA, Kan. (WIBW) - Lawyers representing the man accused of killing a Catholic priest in Seneca, Kansas, want the court to evaluate their client’s competency to stand trial.

Gary Hermesch stands charged with 1st-degree murder, stemming from the April 3, 2025, killing of Father Arul Carasala . Father Carasala was shot outside his home at the Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church. Court documents state Hermesh then turned himself in to the Nemaha Co. Sheriff’s Office for the crime.

A preliminary hearing in Hermesch’s case was held Oct. 14. Coming out of the meeting was a motion filed by his defense, seeking an evaluation to determine whether Hermesch is capable of standing trial.

Court records did not list a potential date for that evaluation to be completed, or for Hermesch’s next

See Full Page