HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (AP) - A state hospital psychiatrist says a Garland County man charged with first-degree murder is mentally competent to stand trial.
However the man's attorney wants a second opinion and The Sentinel-Record reports reported Wednesday that Circuit Court Judge Homer Wright agreed to the defense motion for a second mental evaluation of Alan Edwards.
The 58-year-old Edwards is charged with first-degree murder in the Sept. 3 shooting death of James Toby Fowlks inside a Hot Springs bar. He's also charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting at a bartender.
Investigators say Edwards was allegedly looking for a man who had hit him in the parking lot outside the bar. Edwards says he opened fire because he thought the man was going for a gun.
Edwards faces up to life in prison if convicted.
___
Information from: The Sentinel-Record, http://www.hotsr.com
(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)