Competency exam ordered

An examination to determine competency for trial for Mark Ashworth, 51, was ordered Feb. 29 in Whitman County Superior court. Ashworth, who was arrested in Colfax Jan. 27, now faces seven charges. He has remained in jail after bond for his pre-trial release was set at $250,000.

The examination was ordered to be conducted by a member of the Eastern Washington State Hospital staff at the jail here.

Ashworth was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, a .22 pistol which officers said they located after finding him in possession of bullets during a warrant search of his residence.

Ashworth...