Suspect in fatal shooting at Mormon church in Fallon ruled competent

The Associated Press

6 years ago

Churchill County sheriff's deputies lead John K. O'Connor from the courtroom, July 25, 2018, in ... — Churchill County sheriff’s deputies lead John K. O’Connor from the courtroom, July 25, 2018, in Fallon. O’Connor is accused of fatally shooting a fellow member of his congregation during Sunday services at a Mormon church. (Steve Ranson/Lahontan Valley News via AP)

FALLON — A Northern Nevada man accused of a shooting at a rural Mormon church that killed one man and wounded another during Sunday services has been ruled competent to stand trial.

KOLO-TV reports two psychologists testified Monday in Churchill District Court in Fallon that recent exams found John O’Connor competent to understand the process and charges against him.

A date for a preliminary hearing in hasn’t been set.

O’Connor is charged with first-degree murder in the July 2018 killing of 61-year-old Charles “Bert” Miller, a longtime volunteer firefighter in Fallon. He’s also accused of battery with a deadly weapon in the shooting of Miller’s 64-year-old brother, Duane, of Utah.

He’s been treated at a mental hospital in Sparks since last September when a judge found him incompetent. His lawyer said earlier he’s now able to assist in his own defense.