SALT LAKE CITY – A federal judge, prosecutors and a defense attorney have agreed to a competency hearing for the man charged in the 2002 abduction of Elizabeth Smart.
The judge didn't set a date for the hearing during a status conference Friday in the case of Brian David Mitchell.
The U.S. attorney's office for Utah and federal public defenders disagree about whether Mitchell can participate in his own defense. Both sides want to present evidence from psychological experts and other witnesses so a judge can decide whether Mitchell is competent to stand trial.
Mitchell suffers from a rare delusional disorder. A state court judge last ruled Mitchell incompetent but past evaluators had reached split conclusions.
Attorneys are due in court April 8 for progress updates.
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