SALEM, Ore. (AP) — A judge has formally ordered the Oregon Health Authority to evaluate the mental capacity of inmate Gary Haugen, who has said he wants to give up further appeals and proceed with his execution.
Judge Joseph Guimond (guh-MAWND) agreed last week to cancel an Aug. 16 execution date after the Oregon Supreme Court called for a competency hearing.
Guimond’s order Monday called for the evaluation to be done within 30 days. It’s aimed at determining Haugen’s ability to make reasoned choices about his legal strategies and options.
His lawyers say the 49-year-old Haugen is delusional and not competent.
Haugen was convicted in 1981 of killing a former girlfriend’s mother and in 2003 for killing another inmate.
