FRASER (WWJ/AP) - A 68-year-old Roseville man charged with trying to hire someone to kill his wife of 27 years has been ordered to undergo a competency exam.

Charles Tringali, who appeared Wednesday in Fraser district court, is charged with solicitation of murder and faces up to life in prison if convicted. He’s jailed and is scheduled to be back in court for a hearing on Dec. 19.

Police claim Tringali wanted out of his marriage but wasn’t planning on getting a divorce. Investigators say Tringali’s wife, who lives in a nursing home, was unhurt.

Police say they received a tip that Tringali was looking to hire someone to kill his wife. They say Tringali met with an undercover Roseville detective, during which they discussed a location for the killing, along with methods. Police said a down payment was made to the detective — but police aren’t saying how much. At that point, Tringali was arrested.

Defense lawyer Steven Freers says he believes that Tringali was influenced by a third party.

“My investigation is preliminary at this point, but I think someone else was  pulling his strings,” Freers told The Detroit News. “I don’t think he wanted to kill her.”

Freers said he requested the competency exam because his client has had “mental issues” in the past.

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