Psychologist says Iowa man charged in slaying of football coach not competent to stand trial
By APThursday, September 10, 2009
Psychologist: Coach killing suspect not competent
MASON CITY, Iowa — A psychologist has testified that an Iowa man charged with killing his former high school football coach has constant hallucinations and is not competent to stand trial.
Dan Rogers testified in Cerro Gordo County District Court on Thursday that 24-year-old Mark Becker confuses fact with delusion and suffers from paranoid schizophrenia.
Becker is charged with first-degree murder in the June shooting death of Aplington-Parkersburg coach Ed Thomas.
The hearing was held to determine whether Becker is mentally competent to stand trial.
Rogers, a witness called by the defense, says he didn’t ask Becker about the day Thomas was killed because it wasn’t relevant to his diagnosis.
Trial is set for Sept. 15.
