Mental exam ordered for man accused of killing UW student

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MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A judge in Dane County has ordered a competency examination for the man charged with killing a University of Wisconsin-Madison student in 2008.

Attorneys for David Kahl say he has had recent medical episodes which raise questions about whether he has the ability to assist in his defense. The nature of those episodes were not described in the defense attorneys’ letter to Judge Juan Colas.

The 54-year-old defendant was charged last year with first-degree intentional homicide in the death of 21-year-old Brittany Zimmermann. Prosecutors say Kahl stabbed and strangled Zimmermann after going to houses in her neighborhood asking for money.

Kahl is serving a prison sentence at Oshkosh Correctional Institution for a seventh-offense drunken driving conviction, the State Journal reported.

Colas on Monday ordered Kahl to have a competency exam with a report finished within 15 days if Kahl is given an inpatient exam or 30 days if it’s at an outpatient facility.

Kahl is scheduled for a preliminary hearing before Colas on March 25.