Man Accused in Strongsville Sniper Case to Have Competency Hearing

The man accused of terrorizing several Strongsville and Berea neighborhoods by firing shots from his car in 2009 and 2010 will have a competency hearing March 22 in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court.

Paul Hausmann, 66, of Steven David Drive, faces 36 counts in connection with sniper fire between May 2009 and January 2010.

He was referred by the court last May for a psychological examination; based on that report, the court found him to be incompetent to stand trial and referred him to Northcoast Behavioral Healthcare for competency restoration treatment.

Ryan Miday, spokesman for Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason, said Northcoast reported to the court last month that Hausmann has been restored to competency. A hearing is set for March 22.

The court has asked its own psychiatric clinic to evaluate Hausmann again. The defense has requested an independent evaluation, Miday said.

Hausmann has been transferred from Northcoast to County Jail.

If he is found to be competent, trial is set for April 11.

Hausmann is accused of firing a .22-cal. handgun at four motorists in Berea and one in Strongsville. No injuries were reported. Police speculated he may have been firing from his car window on his way to and from work at the Ford Motor Co. in Brook Park.

He may also have shot at houses, police said.

He was arrested Jan. 12, 2010 after a witness saw a man in a green Ford Focus taking aim on Prospect Road. Another witness got a license number, and an agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms was waiting for him when he arrived home, still wearing shooting earmuffs and with a loaded .22-cal. handgun on the seat beside him.

Charges against him include 11 counts of felonious assault, 11 counts of improperly handling a firearm, 10 counts of of discharging a firearm, carrying a concealed weapon and possession of criminal tools.