Hearing in Appomattox shootings case
The question of whether a man accused of killing eight people in Appomattox is mentally competent to stand trial is coming before a judge.
A hearing is set for Friday afternoon in the case of 41-year-old Christopher Speight, who is charged with capital murder in the January slayings of his sister and seven other people.
Speight was sent to a state mental hospital for treatment in June after a psychologist found him too mentally ill to assist his lawyers or stand trial.
Appomattox Circuit Judge Richard Blanton will decide whether Speight's competency has been restored.
Speight was arrested Jan. 20 after an overnight standoff with authorities at the home he shared with his sister and her family.
By
The Associated Press
| December 17, 2010; 7:37 AM ET
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From the Courthouse, Updates, Virginia
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