Local News in Brief : Murder Suspect Faces Mental Tests
A judge has appointed a psychiatrist to determine the mental competency of the man charged with fatally shooting two Universal Studios security guards, saying he believed they were Nazis.
Superior Court Judge Florence Bernstein ordered the psychiatrist to prepare his report on the defendant, Nathan Trupp, for a Feb. 7 hearing.
If found to be mentally unable to understand the nature of the legal proceedings, Trupp will be placed in a state mental hospital until he is found competent to stand trial.
Trupp is also accused of shooting to death three people in Albuquerque, N.M., days before the Dec. 1 shootings in Universal City.
Prosecutors said Trupp shot the two security guards while stalking actor Michael Landon.
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