FORT DRUM, New York (WWNY) - The murder trial of a Fort Drum soldier accused of killing his roommate in August of last year is on hold. A military judge found Specialist Riley Birbilas not competent enough for trial.

Meanwhile, the family of Birbilas’ alleged victim, Specialist Jacob Ashton, is bracing for their second holiday season without him.

“I’m just trying to put my faith in the justice system. I’m slowly losing that, but I do a lot of praying, and I just hope we get the answers and the justice that we want,” said Jason Ashton, Jacob’s father.

Birbilas allegedly killed Ashton, his roommate, on Fort Drum in August 2024. It’s alleged he hit Ashton with a hammer. Ashton’s mother says it was up to 17 strikes.

Scheduled to stand trial in military court in April, Fort Drum officials s

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