Potts Ruled Incompetent To Stand Trial

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (AP) _ A man accused of killing an elderly couple in northeastern Oklahoma has had his trial postponed. <br/><br/>Johnny Keith Potts had been scheduled to stand trial this month on first-degree

Saturday, June 2nd 2007, 1:58 pm

By: News On 6

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (AP) _ A man accused of killing an elderly couple in northeastern Oklahoma has had his trial postponed.

Johnny Keith Potts had been scheduled to stand trial this month on first-degree murder charges in the July 2005 shooting deaths of William McKinley Ryals and his wife, Elsie Ryals, near Welling.

But attorneys have agreed with a forensic psychologist's report stating that the 23-year-old Potts is not competent to stand trial.

The psychologist's report indicates that Potts could not assist his attorney with his defense. It recommended inpatient treatment for Potts, and said he should be considered a danger to others.

Assistant District Attorney David Pierce says Potts will be returned to the Oklahoma Forensic Center in Vinita until his competency can be restored.

Attorneys for Potts say they plan an insanity defense.

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