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Judge Rules Planned Parenthood Shooter Incompetent for Trial


This booking photo released by the Colorado Springs Police Department shows Robert L. Dear, 57, the suspect in the Nov. 27, 2015, shooting at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
This booking photo released by the Colorado Springs Police Department shows Robert L. Dear, 57, the suspect in the Nov. 27, 2015, shooting at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

A judge in the western U.S. state of Colorado has ruled a man charged with killing three people and wounding nine others in a shooting spree at a Planned Parenthood clinic last year is mentally incompetent to stand trial.

Robert Lewis Dear has admitted guilt in the shootings, referring to himself in court as a "warrior for babies."

Judge Gilbert Martinez said Wednesday that Dear will be sent to a mental health facility with his trial put on hold until he is able to understand the proceedings and contribute to his defense.

The ruling followed evaluations by two psychologists who said Dear is delusional and has issues with trusting people.

Dear has accused his lawyers of drugging him and pursuing a mental health defense that would diminish his anti-abortion message.

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