Criminal case against Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy's son to proceed after mental evaluation

The criminal case against the son of Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is moving forward. 

A psychological evaluation determined that Elijah Bieniemy is competent to receive counsel and understand the charges against him, according to ESPN’s Tom Schad. The evaluation was filed under seal on Sept. 3. Elijah is accused of shooting his mother, Mia, at the family’s Virginia home in July. 

Elijah had previously been represented by a public defender in the case, though he now has new representation. The public defender requested a mental health evaluation before the case could proceed, and wrote in a filing that “the defendant appears to suffer from significant mental health issues.”

Specifics of the competency evaluation are not known. It also does not stop his attorneys from later arguing that he should be found not guilty by reason of insanity, should they choose to go that route. Elijah is due in court next on Nov. 4. 

Mia was shot in the arm and chest on July 26 at their Virginia home. Elijah, 27, was arrested on charges of malicious wounding, use of a firearm in commission of a felony and discharge of a firearm inside a dwelling. 

Eric said last month that she was “doing great,” and was on the “road to recovery” after he rejoined the Chiefs at training camp.

“It’s one of the main reasons why I’m back here, because of her recovery,” Eric Bieniemy said in August. “She’s truly a soldier. She’s a saint and it’s been incredible to watch. But I know I was driving her and a bunch of my family members crazy in the house, so she was like, ‘You have my blessing to leave.’ It was time to get back.”

“It’s one of the main reasons why I’m back here, because of her recovery,” Eric Bieniemy said in August. “She’s truly a soldier. She’s a saint and it’s been incredible to watch. But I know I was driving her and a bunch of my family members crazy in the house, so she was like, ‘You have my blessing to leave.’ It was time to get back.”

Eric, a longtime NFL coordinator, is preparing to start his first season back with the Chiefs this fall. He was the team’s offensive coordinator from 2018-2022, and helped lead the team to a pair of Super Bowl wins.