U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona has granted a defense counsel's motion to order a psychiatric or psychological examination on Aziz Peter Mettao, a former disc jockey who is facing charges for the burning of Power 99 Studio's vehicle.
Manglona issued the order after assistant U.S. attorney Rami Badawy stated that the U.S. government had no objection to the motion.
Manglona suspended all proceedings pending the competency report.
Mettao remains detained pending future proceedings.
A status conference will be held on Feb. 20, 2012.
F. Matthew Smith, the court-appointed counsel for Mettao, asked the court to hold a hearing to determine whether the 27-year-old Mettao is competent to proceed with the trial.
Smith said he is concerned about Mettao's mental state after learning that, prior to his arrest, Mettao was working with the Veterans Affairs Office in Guam trying to get mental and medical attention.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has stepped into the investigation in the burning of Power 99 Studio's vehicle by Mettao.
ATF agents served Mettao with an arrest warrant last Oct. 19.
The ATF filed that same day a complaint charging Mettao with malicious use of explosive materials, a felony that carries a maximum term of 10 years or more in prison.
Mettao is suspected of setting on fire Power 99's Hyundai Tucson in western Garapan in the early morning of Sept. 10, 2012. Mettao allegedly used beer bottles that he filled with flammable liquid to burn and damage the vehicle.
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