JUDGE ORDERS MENTAL EVALUATION FOR COKATO MURDER SUSPECT

A Wright County judge has ordered a mental competency evaluation for a Watkins man accused of fatally beating a co-worker earlier this month.  The judge rules that 40-year-old David Delong must undergo the examination to determine whether he is competent to stand trial.  Wright County Attorney Brian Lutes has also notified the court that he intends to present the case to a grand jury for possible indictment on first-degree premeditated murder charges in the death of 20-year-old Amber Czech of Hutchinson.  Under Minnesota  law, a grand jury must issue an indictment for first-degree premeditated murder.  Authorities were called to Advanced Process Technologies in Cokato November 11.  Deputies say Czech was found at her workstation with severe head injuries and significant blood loss.  Investigators allege Delong attacked Czech with a sledgehammer and later confessed, saying he disliked her and had planned the killing for some time.  Delong remains in custody on $5-million unconditional bail, $2-million conditional bail.