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Alleged AT killer not yet seeking insanity defense, accepts competency exam

In his initial appearance in federal court in Abingdon, Va., this week, the judge ordered James Jordan to undergo an evaluation to determine his sanity and mental competency.

The suspect arrested for a killing on the Appalachian Trail is making it clear he is not yet pursuing an insanity defense.

In his initial appearance in federal court in Abingdon this week, the judge ordered James Jordan to undergo an evaluation to determine his mental competency to stand trial.

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The judge also included in an order that he should be evaluated to determine sanity.

Court-appointed defense this week signaled it was not ready to argue he's insane and currently opposes a sanity exam.

The defense, however, is not opposed to an examine to determine if Jordan is now mentally competent to face prosecution.

The judge gave the defense seven days to arrange a local competency exam.

Jordan is charged in the death of Oklahoma resident Ronald Sanchez, Jr. along a Wythe County, Virginia portion of the trail.

A status update in his case is scheduled for Tuesday in US District Court in Abingdon.

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