TRIAL SUSPENDED IN CASE OF MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING ROCKWELL CITY POLICE OFFICER

FORT DODGE, Iowa — A judge on Tuesday February 25, 2014 ordered a man charged with first-degree murder in the death of  Rockwell City Police Officer Jamie Buentng in September to undergo a psychiatric competency evaluation to determine whether he is fit to stand trial.

District Court Judge Thomas Bice ordered the proceedings in the trial of Corey Trott, 32, to be suspended until it is determined whether he can stand trial.  Trott, of Rockwell City, will be taken to the Iowa Medical and Classification Center in Oakdale for the evaluation.

Calhoun County Attorney Tina Meth-Farrington said the ruling effectively puts the case on hold. However, Trott's April 21 trial, which will be held in Wright County, will remain on the court schedule, she told the Fort Dodge Messenger. "We're still keeping it on the calendar and hoping the evaluation can be done quickly, and we can get this issue resolved," she said. "We also realize that we are not in control of Oakdale."

Trott has been in custody since Sept. 13, 2013, when he allegedly shot and killed Rockwell City Police Officer Jamie Buenting during a standoff in Rockwell City.