MASON CITY, IOWA (AP) -- An Iowa judge has delayed the trial of the man charged with killing an Iowa high school football coach pending his ruling on whether the suspect is mentally competent.
Judge Stephen Carroll delayed the trial Thursday after hearing from defense and prosecution witnesses about whether 24-year-old Mark Becker is competent to stand trial.
Becker is charged with first-degree murder in the June shooting death of Aplington-Parkersburg coach Ed Thomas.
Psychologist Dan Rogers, called by the defense, testified Becker confuses facts with delusions, suffers from paranoid schizophrenia and isn't competent for a trial.
Psychiatrist Michael Taylor agreed with that diagnosis but says Becker is competent.
Carroll didn't indicate when he'd rule on the issue.
(Copyright ©2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKTVO