Psychiatric tests for Ala. tree poisoning suspect
Thursday, September 27, 2012
OPELIKA, Ala. (AP) -- A University of Alabama fan accused of poisoning Auburn University's landmark oak trees in a fit of football rivalry is voluntarily surrendering himself into custody for psychiatric testing at a state mental facility.
The move means Harvey Updyke's trial, set to begin next week, will almost certainly be postponed. But circuit Judge Jacob A. Walker III didn't immediately rule on a defense request to delay the trial.
Prosecutors had asked the judge to revoke Updyke's bond following his arrest during a recent dispute at a store in Louisiana.
With a police officer in court ready to testify this morning to what happened, Updyke's lawyers skipped the formal bond hearing and said their client would instead voluntarily surrender for psychiatric testing.
More like this
Ala. judge revokes bond in Auburn tree poisoning
