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Homicide suspect to undergo mental evaluation

TIONESTA, Forest County — A psychiatrist will evaluate a Butler man accused of fatally stabbing his former fiancee and her boyfriend in April.

Warren-Forest County President Judge Maureen Skerda has ordered 38-year-old Scott A. Black to undergo a psychiatric evaluation to determine if he’s competent to stand trial.

Black is in the Warren County Jail without bail, accused of killing Marcelle I. Edwards, 42, and Donald L. Shay, 43, of Leechburg, Armstrong County.

Black is charged with two counts each of homicide and aggravated assault.

In response to a motion by Black’s attorney, public defender Todd Woodin, Skerda on Friday ordered the examination to determine Black’s competency and “to determine if (Black) was legally insane at the time of the alleged occurrence,” according to her court order.

State police said Black shortly after midnight April 27 showed up at Edwards’ mobile home in Green Township, about seven miles east of Tionesta, and attacked Edwards and Shay.

Hours later, troopers captured Black when they spotted him in neighboring Kingsley Township.

Meanwhile, Black is to be formally arraigned Wednesday in Forest County Court. At that time, he could learn if Forest County District Attorney Elizabeth Ziegler plans to seek the death penalty against him.

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