Teen held in Vegas school attack may get 3rd competency exam

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A defense attorney in Las Vegas said Friday he may seek a third competency evaluation for a 16-year-old who faces sex assault, attempted murder and other felony charges in a violent after-school attack that left a teacher unconscious in her classroom last month.

Defense attorney Paul Adras said following a brief court appearance with his client that he asked a judge for additional time to review findings of two mental health professionals who said the teen understands the charges against him and can assist in his defense.

The attack has spurred protests and concerns about escalating violence in Clark County schools, the nation’s fifth-largest district.

In a police report, investigators said the boy’s mother reported no known medical or mental disabilities but said her son recently seemed “depressed and disconnected.”

The Associated Press is not naming the teen, pending a competency determination. Adras said his client remains jailed pending his next court date May 27.

Prosecutors charged the teen, a high school junior, as an adult following his arrest shortly after the April 7 incident at his school.

Police said he went to the female teacher’s classroom to talk about his grades before punching and choking her into unconsciousness and pulling a bookcase and filing cabinet down upon her. The teacher was hospitalized with unspecified injuries.

Since schools opened in August, Clark County School District police have tallied 3,000 assaults and fights, and confiscated more than 25 guns.

Brawls at some schools have involved non-students, adults and parents. The mothers of two students have been accused in separate cases of using their vehicles as weapons to defend their children from schoolmates.