Psychologist says Mark Becker not competent to stand trial

Mark Becker's attorney filed a motion today asking the court to determine if probable cause exists for first-degree murder because a psychologist has determined he isn't competent to stand trial.

Becker suffers from a mental disorder that prevents him from appreciating the charge and understanding the proceedings or assisting in his defense, according to the application to determine competency filed in Butler County District Court.

Becker, 24, of Parkersburg, charged with first-degree murder and eluding, is accused of walking into a weightlifting session June 24 and fatally shooting Applington-Parkersburg football coach Ed Thomas mutliple times at close range.

Dr. Dan Rogers completed a psychological evaluation and found Becker suffers many problems including auditory and visual hallucinations, difficulty distinguishing reality from fantasy, had been committed in the past and was hospitalized several days prior to the shooting, had been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, mood swings, agitation, irribility and psychotic symptoms.

The defense asks the court to suspend further proceedings until probable cause can be established.