Competency Case has Unusual Twist ; a Judge Hears Arguments On Whether a Personality Disorder Prevents Aiding in One's Own Defense.

Summary

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The state's top forensic psychologist told a judge Thursday that Christian Nielsen is competent to stand trial next month on four charges of murder, despite his rare personality disorder.

"I concluded that he had the skills necessary" to understand his circumstances and cooperate with his defense team, Dr. Ann Leblanc said during a pretrial hearing in Oxford County Superior Court.

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Competency Case has Unusual Twist ; a Judge Hears Arguments On Whether a Personality Disorder Prevents Aiding in One's Own Defense.

Nielsen's attorneys disagreed. They said the 32-year-old former cook is not competent to stand trial, and has repeatedly been unwilling or unable to help prepare his own defense. Nielsen is charged with killing four people over Labor Day weekend ...

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