Psychologist: Convicted killer Joseph Duncan was competent
BOISE, Idaho (AP) -- A forensic psychologist who examined convicted murderer Joseph Duncan four years ago said Duncan scored high on a test measuring paranoia.
Still, Dr. Robert Engle contends Duncan is still legally competent.
Engle was appointed by a judge in 2008 to see if Duncan could represent himself in his federal death sentence hearing. Engle was back in the courtroom Wednesday for a retrospective competency hearing ordered by an appellate court.
Engle said he interviewed Duncan three times and administered tests. He found Duncan intelligent and able to understand court proceedings. Engle said Duncan scored high on tests for paranoia, schizophrenia and psychopathic deviancy. Engle said Duncan didn't exhibit those characteristics during interviews.
Duncan was sentenced to death for kidnapping and torturing two Idaho children before killing one of them in Montana.
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