Judge orders evaluation of man charged with murder, rape

DUBUQUE (AP) ? A hearing will be held this spring to determine whether a Dubuque man is competent to stand trial on sexual assault and murder charges.

The Telegraph Herald reports  a judge decided a competency hearing will be held for 20-year-old Helmon Betwell on April 4.

Betwell?s attorney, Thomas Goodman, said in his motion for the hearing that a mental disorder is keeping Betwell from understanding the charges against him.

Betwell is charged with first-degree murder and first-degree sexual assault for the Sept. 1 death of 66-year-old Nancy Krapfl, of Dubuque. He is also charged with two counts of third-degree burglary.

The criminal proceedings will be put on hold while Betwell?s competency is evaluated.