Competency test ordered for woman

OKMULGEE, Okla. (AP) -- A woman charged with stabbing a municipal judge must undergo a mental competency exam to see if she is able to stand trial, an Okmulgee County judge ordered Tuesday.

Brenda Joyce Barnett, 39, of Okmulgee, is charged with stabbing Municipal Judge Bill Barksdale on Jan. 5.

According to court records, Barnett has acted in a "confused and delusional manner" while being incarcerated and has been observed alone "talking to herself in two different voices."

Special District Judge Duane Woodliff ordered the evaluation after Barnett's attorney, R. Lawrence Roberson, filed an application for determination of competency.

Barksdale, 53, was walking to work when Barnett stopped her car, got out of the vehicle and confronted him, police said.

"She said something to him, and he said, `Do you know who I am?"' Detective Todd Spurlock said. "They got into a shoving match, and she stabbed him."

Barksdale was stabbed twice with a double-edge "dagger-type"

knife. He suffered wounds to the left elbow and left shoulder.

Barnett was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

Woodliff postponed Barnett's scheduled preliminary hearing until he can get the mental competency report.

Court documents indicate four other felony counts are pending against Barnett. If found competent and ultimately convicted of the five charges, she could face a maximum imprisonment of 40 years, according to state law.