Ore. judge to weigh death row inmate's competency

SALEM, Ore. (AP) -- A Marion County judge will hold a hearing on the competency of a death row inmate whose execution was blocked by the state Supreme Court.

Gary Haugen has asked to waive all his appeals and allow the state to execute him. The state Supreme Court blocked the execution and determined that tests of Haugen's competency were insufficient.

The judge who conducted the competency test is now responsible for evaluating another psychological exam of Haugen, this one conducted by a forensic psychologist.

The judge will consider the psychologist's report and other evidence on Tuesday before deciding whether to authorize the execution of the twice-convicted murderer by lethal injection.

If Haugen is successful, his execution would be Oregon's first in 14 years.

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