A Brier man who allegedly burst into a crowded Mountlake Terrace classroom Dec. 18 with a loaded gun will be sent back to a state hospital to see if he is competent to face trial.
James John Hansen III is charged with being a felon in possession of a gun. He allegedly had a pistol in his possession when he tried to get away from Mountlake Terrace officers, who ran into the classroom after him, prosecutors said.
Prosecutors said police had to subdue him with pepper spray, which also affected several children.
Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Charles French on Wednesday approved an order sending Hansen to Western State Hospital at Steilacoom near Tacoma after agreement by deputy prosecutor John Juhl and defense attorney Richard Bennett. The hospital has a mental health facility.
The court hearing was set for sentencing on Hansen’s guilty plea to a separate count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, but both sides agreed he may not be competent to make decisions.
Bennett sought an independent evaluation of Hansen from Comer LaRue, an Everett forensic psychologist. His report led to the agreed order.
Officials hope doctors at the state hospital will be able to determine if Hansen is competent enough to knowingly break the law and competent to assist Bennett at trial.
LaRue said he would not discuss specifically what mental problems Hansen may have.
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