Competency evaluation delayed in museum shooting

By Associated Press Writer SARAH KARUSH (The Associated Press)

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Officials at a prison hospital say chronic medical problems are complicating a psychiatric evaluation for the 89-year-old man accused of fatally shooting a guard at Washington's Holocaust museum.

U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton granted an eight-week extension for the evaluation of James von Brunn. Walton said the warden at Butner Federal Medical Center in Butner, N.C., requested the extension because several chronic ailments were preventing officials from conducting necessary tests.

The report on von Brunn's competency to stand trial had been expected at the end of November. Monday's order extends von Brunn's time at Butner to Jan. 2.

Von Brunn is accused of killing Stephen T. Johns at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum on June 10.