Murder suspect found competent for trial

Published: Monday, July 6, 2009 1:43 p.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 

A man who police say knifed his former girlfriend to death in Magna in 2008 has been found mentally competent to stand trial.

Police say Charles Richard Gunkel broke into the home of Molly Robbins, a second-grade teacher at Wright Elementary School, and killed her. Law enforcement officials also say Gunkel attacked Robbins' 14-year-old daughter, but she managed to flee to a neighbor's house.

Questions about Gunkel's competency were raised by his attorneys. Third District Judge William Barrett on Monday received the results of competency evaluations that said Gunkel is capable of proceeding to trial.

Gunkel, 53, is charged with aggravated murder and aggravated burglary, both first-degree felonies, and aggravated assault, a third-degree felony.

His next court date is a Sept. 15 preliminary hearing before 3rd District Judge Deno Himonas.

— Linda Thomson

Recent comments

Sane people murder people. What about me? Am I insane because I'm not...

Anonymous | July 6, 2009 at 2:27 p.m.

previousnext

Latest comments

5A football: Alta reaches semis

Bingham: Good news you made it to the semis, bad news you have to play Alta!...

Asking Mormons to MIND THEIR OWN BU$INE$$ is like asking a fish to ride a...

How can there be such a concentration of ignorance in one state? Turn off...

with Gang Violence and DUI's..Utah County almost resembles SLC!!

Jobless rate 10.2% and climbing

but unemployment rate is 10.2%...call it however you want to see it...

sometimes paper can CUT really deep,....ehh JD....Good job broncos! Take...

Actually, their are many who care a whole heck of a lot about Veteran's....

Small correction to the comment above - a sperm doesn't have two of anything...

Prep football: San Juan vs. S. Sevier

Oh man South Sevier...you sure are eating your words now aren't you? JD won't...

BYU and their fans remind me of the bully in high school who would pick on...

Advertisements
Advertisement