KHGI-TV/KWNB-TV/KHGI-CD-Grand Island, Kearney, HastingsUPDATE: Prosecution asks Judge to Rule Kirkpatrick Competent to Stand Trial

By Nina Harrelson  nharrelson@nebraska.tv and Andrea Hay  ahay@nebraska.tv

The state of Nebraska asked a judge Monday to declare 19-year-old Stathis Kirkpatrick -- the Bartley man accused of murdering a 14-year-old McCook girl last January -- competent to stand trial.

In a telephonic hearing Monday morning, the prosecution argued a recent competency evaluation  conducted by the clinical psychologist and psychiatrist treating Kirkpatrick indicates he is now competent to stand trial.

Kirkpatrick's counsel has until March 1 to file motions in defense of the state's claim of competency.
A hearing to decide the motions will be set at a later date. 

Last September, Kirkpatrick was declared incompetent to stand trial after his defense attorneys argued in court that a recent psychological examination proved he wasn't competent.

Kirkpatrick was ordered by the court to be committed to the Lincoln Regional Health Center for mental health treatment until he is considered competent to stand trial.

Kirkpatrick is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Kailee Clapp, whose burned body was found last January in the Bartley cemetery. She had been reported missing that morning from her McCook home by her mother, Nora Clapp.

If convicted, Kirkpatrick faces life in prison.