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New Mental Exam Ordered In Middle School Murder

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May 15, 2008 11:54 am US/Eastern

New Mental Exam Ordered In Middle School Murder

14-Year Old Jaime Gough Was Stabbed To Death In 2004

Classmate Michael Hernandez Will Stand Trial

MIAMI (CBS4) ― A new mental competency exam has been ordered for a Miami teenager charged with the 2004 stabbing death of his middle-school classmate.

The evaluation ordered Thursday by a Miami-Dade County judge means the murder trial of 18-year-old Michael Hernandez will not begin next week as scheduled. The exam will determine the effects drug treatment is having on Hernandez's competency to stand trial.

Hernandez was 14 when police say he carefully planned and executed the murder of Jaime Gough in a school bathroom at Southwood Middle School in Palmetto Bay. Gough was stabbed to death. Hernandez's lawyer says he suffers from schizophrenia and should be ruled not guilty by reason of insanity.

Circuit Judge John Schlesinger set another hearing next week on the competency issue. Trial won't begin until at least May 27.

Hernandez faces a mandatory life prison sentence if convicted as an adult of first-degree murder.

(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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