Deniz competent in double-slaying

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A federal judge says a Wyoming man is competent to stand trial in the slaying of a couple on Montana’s Crow Indian Reservation.

Court records show U.S. District Judge Susan Watters determined Jesus Deniz Mendoza of Worland was competent to stand trial during a Wednesday hearing.

The ruling followed testimony from a U.S. Bureau of Prisons psychologist who examined Mendoza. The results of a mental examination of the defendant were previously sealed by the court.

Mendoza is charged with double murder, attempted murder and other counts in the July 2015 deaths of Jason and Tana Shane near Pryor.

Authorities say the couple stopped to help Mendoza when he shot them, killing both and wounding their daughter.

His attorneys have said he will rely on an insanity defense if the case goes to trial.

Prosecutors announced in April they would not seek the death penalty in this case.

Mendoza has also been charged charged with attempted second degree murder in Washakie County Circuit Court in Worland in October 2015.

Charging documents allege that during the early morning hours of Sept. 16, 2013, shot Jose Luis Mosquera Araujo of Ecuador Araujo was visiting the area with his girlfriend, Ana Deaconu, also of Ecuador.