Ex-Turnstile guitarist faces competency evaluation in attempted murder case

Brady Ebert, a former guitarist of the Baltimore hardcore band Turnstile who’s accused of hitting the singer’s father with a car, repeatedly professed his innocence Thursday after his attorney raised concerns about his ability to understand the charges against him and assist in his own defense.

Ebert’s attorney, Mark Sobel, said during a hearing in Montgomery County Circuit Court he had “significant concerns regarding competency.”

But Ebert stated he was “perfectly competent” and declared “every part of the police report is a lie.”

He said he believed his attorney was working with prosecutors. Ebert also suggested that his previous lawyer might have accepted a bribe.

“Sir, you have a very good attorney,” Circuit Judge Eric Johnson said.

“No, he’s not,” Ebert said. “I’m going to fire him.”

Ebert said he’s been incarcerated for five months and should never have been arrested. He appeared in court in a green jumpsuit.

“We can watch the video right now and prove my innocence,” he said. “I did not commit a crime.”

He said he will be pressing charges against the police officers, prosecutors and defense attorneys in the case.

Johnson then ordered Ebert to undergo a competency evaluation and scheduled a status hearing for Sept. 22.

Ebert, 34, of Silver Spring, is charged with attempted first- and second-degree murder and related offenses.

On March 29, Ebert drove down Timberlake Drive in Silver Spring as he honked his horn and swerved at William Yates, the father of Turnstile frontman Brendan Yates, in a 2001 Buick LeSabre, Montgomery County Police allege.

William Yates, 79, then threw a rock at Ebert’s car in what he told investigators was an attempt to warn his daughter, Erin Gerber, and her 3-year-old son.

Next, Ebert backed up, quickly accelerated and struck William Yates in the driveway, causing “trauma to his lower extremities,” police assert.

During an interview at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, William Yates told detectives that Ebert had been harassing his family since Turnstile parted ways with him. Ebert played on Turnstile’s first three albums, including its breakout 2021 record, “Glow On.”

Earlier this year, Turnstile won two Grammy Awards. In a video message, William Yates introduced the band before a performance at the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival.

Ebert is being held in the Montgomery County Correctional Facility without bail.

This story has been updated.