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(Farmington-AP) -- Mark Anthony Ott, charged with aggravated murder in the arson death of a six-year-old girl and also accused of stabbing two people, has pleaded innocent by reason of insanity.
The 38-year-old defendant entered the pleas yesterday in Second District Court in Farmington.
Attorneys are preparing a motion to have Ott evaluated at the state mental hospital.
In February, Ott was found competent to stand trial. That evaluation on Ott's mental state was only to determine whether he was able to assist his counsel and comprehend the proceedings against him. It did not examine Ott's mental state at the time of the crimes.
Authorities allege that on September first, Ott entered the Layton home of Donna Ott, his estranged wife and stabbed her boyfriend Allen Lawrence and her daughter Sarah Gooch. They allege he then set the house on fire. Lacey Lawrence, daughter of Allen Lawrence, died in the fire.
(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
