CLARION CO., Pa. (EYT) — President Judge Sara J. Seidle-Patton approved motions on Monday for a competency evaluation and a private investigator for Chase Wayan Steigerwald, the Clarion man accused in the November 2025 death of a DuBois woman.
Public Defender Melissa M. Merchant-Calvert, of Mercer, who is Steigerwald’s court-appointed attorney, requested that the defendant undergo a psychological evaluation before any trial proceedings occurred, stating that there was a need for such an assessment. Specifically, the evaluation will determine Steigerwald’s competency to stand trial.
Judge Seidle-Patton explained that a state-appointed doctor would be used for the assessment, which both the prosecution and defense agreed to.
Merchant-Calvert also submitted a motion for the court to appoint a private investigator to the case, which is commonly done in criminal cases where the defendant cannot afford to hire their own representation or investigator. Clarion County District Attorney Drew Welsh had no objection to the request.
Judge Seidle-Patton approved the motion, adding that she would set a cap on the amount of state-appointed funding to be used for the investigation.
All parties agreed that a pending plea hearing would be staid until Steigerwald’s competency evaluation is completed. However, the judge was adamant that the prosecution and defense continue to exchange information and evidence in order to keep the case moving forward.
“I fully expect discovery to continue during that time period,” Judge Seidle-Patton said.
According to court records, 35-year-old Steigerwald is charged with the following offense:
- Criminal Homicide, H1 (homicide of the first degree)
He remains lodged in the Clarion County Jail with bail denied due to the homicide charge, court records show.
The charge against Steigerwald is related to the death of 45-year-old Rachel Roman, of DuBois. Investigators say Roman was found fatally stabbed inside Steigerwald’s Clarion apartment in November 2025.
Details of the case:
Clarion Borough Police filed criminal homicide charges against Steigerwald on November 25, 2025, in connection with the death of 45-year-old Rachel Roman. Roman was found deceased in Steigerwald’s apartment on Main Street in Clarion on the morning of November 5, 2025.
Police say the investigation revealed Steigerwald allegedly stabbed Roman, washed blood from his hands in his kitchen sink, and attempted to stage the scene to appear like a suicide before calling 911.
According to the affidavit, a witness who was inside the apartment at the time later told police they heard “gurgling/choking noises” from the living room before discovering Roman’s body. The same witness said Steigerwald placed a knife in the victim’s hand, appearing to try to transfer fingerprints to the weapon.
Authorities said surveillance footage confirmed the witness’s timeline and that Steigerwald admitted to smoking methamphetamine and washing his hands before contacting emergency services.
Roman’s autopsy revealed multiple sharp force injuries, including wounds to her neck, chest, and face. The cause of death was ruled as sharp force injuries to the neck.
Steigerwald was arraigned at 10:21 a.m. on November 25, 2025, before Judge Schill.
