SALEM, Ore., July 7 (UPI) -- A judge acting under orders from the Oregon Supreme Court has canceled an execution and scheduled an evaluation of the condemned man's mental condition.
Gary Haugen, who killed another inmate while he was serving a life sentence for rape and murder, has said he wants to die. But his lawyers argue he lacks the mental competence to be executed, The (Portland) Oregonian reported.
The high court ruled last week Marion County Circuit Judge Joseph Guimond did not have a proper evaluation of Haugen's competence before he set his execution for Aug. 16. The court also said Guimond must reinstate W. Keith Goody and Andy Simrin, the lawyers he allowed Haugen to fire.
In a letter to Chief Justice Paul DeMuniz, Guimond said he disagrees "profoundly" with the decision.
Guimond found Haugen competent in May after a brief interrogation. The judge asked him about his English-language ability and whether he understood his legal rights.
At a hearing Guimond set for next Thursday, Goody and Simrin must submit the name of a psychiatrist to evaluate Haugen. Prosecutors must identify their expert if they choose to have their own evaluation.
Guimond said a full hearing will not occur until the fall.
Haugen, 49, was sentenced to life without parole for killing his girlfriend's mother when he was 19. He was sentenced to death for the 2003 killing of another inmate, David Polin, who was stabbed 84 times and beaten.
