Judge to rule on beheading defendant’s competency

NORMAN , Okla. (AP) – An Oklahoma judge is set to announce her decision about whether a man accused of beheading a co-worker at a food-processing plant is competent to be tried for first-degree murder and other charges.

Cleveland County District Judge Lori Walkley plans to rule Wednesday on whether 31-year-old Alton Nolen can be tried for the September 2014 attack that killed 54-year-old Colleen Hufford and injured a second co-worker.

Psychologists for the defense and the state have offered opposing opinions during two days of testimony in the non-jury trial.

Dr. Anita Russell, a defense witness, testified Nolen is intellectually impaired, cannot communicate with his attorneys and wants to receive the death penalty.

But Dr. Shawn Roberson testified for the prosecution that Nolen is not mentally impaired and can communicate with his attorneys.