Competency hearing held in murder case

A judge will soon rule on whether a man charged with murder is competent to stand trial.

John Zechmann, 21, of Grand Island is charged with first-degree murder and the use of a weapon to commit a felony for the Aug. 12, 2007, death of Faud Osman.

A hearing to determine his competency was held this morning in Hall County District Court. It was a continuation of a hearing held in April.

In December 2007, Hall County District Judge James Livingston declared Zechmann incompetent to stand trial, and Zechmann was committed to the Lincoln Regional Center. While there, he was examined and treated by two doctors, Mario Scalora and Y. Scott Moore, both of whom testified today.

The men submitted a report in November 2007, after their evaluation, that stated Zechmann was incompetent. In April, they submitted a second report that stated he was now competent.

Scalora testified that Zechmann will be able to testify with significant preparation from his attorney, Jerry Soucie of the Nebraska Commission on Public Advocacy. He will need extra time should he testify and needs to be given information in concrete, not abstract, forms, Scalora said.

Zechmann has borderline intellectual function but isn't mentally retarded and does understand the difference between right and wrong, Scalora said.

If Livingston determines Zechmann is competent, the case will be set for arraignment.