Northern Indiana man charged with killing mother, half-sister deemed competent to stand trail

MONTICELLO, Indiana — A state psychiatric hospital has determined that a northern Indiana man is competent to stand trial on charges that he fatally stabbed his mother and young half-sister.

White County court records show that Logansport State Hospital officials believe 20-year-old David Rodenbarger can understand the court proceedings and assist in his defense on charges from the February attack at the family's Monticello (mahn-tuh-SEL'-oh) home.

The Journal & Courier reports (http://on.jconline.com/181gH1c ) the letter received Tuesday follows a judge's March ruling that Rodenbarger was incompetent to face trial at that time. Rodenbarger's lawyer has said he repeatedly smeared himself with feces, drank his own urine and tried to harm himself while jailed.

Rodenbarger faces two counts of murder in the deaths of 41-year-old Michelle Haskins and 6-year-old Jillian Haskins.

Information from: Journal and Courier, http://www.jconline.com

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