PINE BLUFF, Ark. (AP) - The man accused of a killing a Pine Bluff teen has been ruled competent to stand trial.
Kenneth Osburn, 46, is charged with capital murder and kidnapping in the death of Casey Crowder, who disappeared Aug. 27 after running out of gas along U.S. 65. Her body was found Sept. 2.
A report signed by Myeong W. Kim, a licensed clinical psychologist and certified forensic psychologist, also said Crowder was strangled to death with a plastic tie-wrap, a tool commonly used for holding cables or wiring together.
Kim's report, forwarded Thursday by Circuit Judge Sam Pope's office to the Desha County circuit clerk's office, says Osburn knew what he was doing and suffered no major mental disorder on the day of Crowder's disappearance.
"There was no evidence that any bizarre delusions or thought disorders had affected his judgment or perception at the time of the alleged crime," the report said. "He was able to interpersonally and intellectually function in a normal manner prior to and at the time of the alleged act."
Osburn's trial is scheduled for May 1-4 in Arkansas City.
Kim's report also notes that Osburn has maintained his innocence.
The report quotes Osburn as saying: "I did not confess. I just repeated what they (investigators) wanted me to say so they leave my daughter alone. They threatened to lock up my daughter. They asked me to just tell when I used the plastic tie. I said at the end."
According to the report, Osburn also told Kim: "They got nothing on me... no DNA.... I did not do it. They got nothing on me. I confessed because they threatened me to lock up my daughter."
Prosecutor Thomas Deen said he plans to seek the death penalty against Osburn.
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