◆ SpookStack

ge eq rie PET Court Clears Way” y" For Beckwith Trial Ruled Capable of betenie In Evers Murder Hearing ‘From The Commercial Appeal Jackson, Miss., Bureau JACKSON, Miss., Nov. 12. — The State Supreme Court Tues- day ruled Byron De La Beck- with is “entirely capable of standing trial’’ for the murder| of Negro civil rights leader) Medgar Evers and nullified a prosecution order for a mental examination of the 42-year-old Greenwood salesman. The 6-to-3 decision set aside Hinds County Circuit Judge Leon Hendrick’s order grant- ing a state request for the ex- amination. The prosecution said it was seeking to deter- imine whether Beckwith was ‘mentally capable of making a ‘rational defense and also his ‘condition at the time Evers was slain Jane it. The issue was based on a counter-order of Rankin Coun- ty Circuit Judge O. H. Barnett, in whose jurisdiction the state hospital lies, barring state psychiatrists from giving Beck- with a mental examination. | Beckwith’s attorneys protest-| ed the examination, contending, the was capable of making al jtational defense and that “the ‘order for a general examina- tion was unconstitutional. The! .defense said Judge Hendrick’s jiorder placed Beckwith in the position of affording Dist. Atty. William Waller with testimony to be used against the defend- ant at the trial. When Judge Hendrick or-! dered the examination July 19, defense attorneys said Beck- with was ready for an imme- diate trial-and-dsmanded that it be set at that time.- 1 “Idered Beckwith returned to the ~ The Supreme custody of tne-fiines County sheriff in Jackson. Judge Bar- nett had ordered him held in the Rankin County jail at Braa-. don to retain jurisdiction pend- ing setting of a trial by Judge Hendrick, S=-==—— (Indicate page, name of newspaper, City and state.) — Page 1 —_ The Commercial Appeal —— Memphis, Tenn. caiton: 22/13/63 Author: Mississippi na erank R. Ahlgrer Character: or Classification: Submitting Office:,