Man accused of trying to join extremists challenges ruling

A psychologist filed a report last month finding Joshua Van Haften competent. A federal magistrate judge in Madison gave Van Haften’s attorney, Joseph Bugni, until Wednesday to decide whether to accept the ruling or challenge it by conducting his own competency examination.

Bugni sent a letter to the judge on Wednesday saying he’ll evaluate Van Haften with his own expert by April 29.

Van Haften was charged last year with trying to cross from Turkey to Syria to join the Islamic State. He could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.