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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- A state court judge says a man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend and driving to Missouri with her body stashed in the car is incompetent to stand trial.
Michael J. Doyel is charged with first-degree felony murder, theft and obstruction of justice in the death of Deborah Jones.
Jones died of strangulation. Her body was found in April 2008 inside a 50-gallon plastic bin in her car outside a Branson, Mo., motel.
Third District Judge Judith Atherton ordered Doyel sent to the Utah State Hospital so doctors can try to restore his competency to stand trial. A review hearing is set for May 23.
In a pair of related cases, state and federal prosecutors have charged Doyel with kidnapping for allegedly taking another Utah woman with him to Missouri.
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Information from: The Salt Lake Tribune
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
