Cheyenne County murder suspect found competent to stand trial
SIDNEY, Neb. (AP) _ A western Nebraska judge has ruled that a 47-year-old is now mentally competent to face a murder charge in court.
The Sidney Sun-Telegraph reports that Judge Derek Weimer on Tuesday said Craig Johnson will stand trial in the slaying of 42-year-old April Smith. Johnson is charged with second-degree murder, accused of killing Smith in December at the home they shared eight miles west of Sidney.
Johnson has pleaded not guilty. Johnson's next court hearing is scheduled September 12th.
Weimer ruled in March that Johnson was incompetent to stand trial and sent him to Lincoln for treatment.
The newspaper says Weimer made his new ruling after reading an evaluation that said Johnson's competency had been restored.
Johnson made an attempt to object to the evaluation, requesting a "second opinion" be conducted. Weimer denied the request.
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