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Judge To Order Mental Evaluation Of Ohio Terror Plot Suspect

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A federal judge will order a mental evaluation of an Ohio man to determine whether he is competent to stand trial on charges that he plotted to attack the U.S. Capitol.

U.S. District Judge Sandra Beckwith said Tuesday she'll also set a deadline on potential use of an insanity defense for 21-year-old Christopher Lee Cornell. His attorneys stated last week in a court filing that there's "reasonable cause" to believe he suffers from a mental disease or defect.

The FBI arrested Cornell on Jan. 14 on charges alleging he planned to attack the Capitol with pipe bombs and guns. He has pleaded not guilty to four charges, including attempted murder of U.S. officials and employees.

Beckwith also set new evidence deadlines, with a status conference scheduled next April 4.

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