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Judge: Man competent to stand trial in murder of 69 year old Florence woman
Posted: 02.09.2012 at 6:07 PM
Tonya Brown

Tonya has been reporting stories happening in the Pee Dee for more than 10 years.

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Thursday afternoon, Circuit Court Judge Thomas Russo ruled David Johnson, 24, is competent to stand trial for the murder of Willie Mae Hayes, 69.

Prosecutors say Johnson killed the woman at her Florence home in August of 2008. 

Police say Johnson and three others broke into her home on West Liberty Street where they robbed and killed her.

Dr. Alicia Hall, a clinical psychologist for the SC Department of Disabilities and Special Needs told the court Thursday about her recent evaluations of Johnson.

Hall says she evaluated him on December 6, 2011 and January 12, 2012.

She told the judge that Johnson understands the difference between right and wrong even though he's been declared intellectually disabled.

Hall says she asked him a number of questions and determined he is competent to stand trial.

She did say he requires more to process and answer questions.

Last month, Judge Russo ruled the state could not seek the death penalty because he was declared intellectually disabled and the law says you can't seek the death penalty in that case.

Johnson's trial is scheduled to start Monday.

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