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Man Charged In Neighbor's Death To Get Mental Exam

GROSSE POINTE PARK (WWJ/AP) - A Grosse Pointe Park man charged in the slaying of his next door neighbor has been ordered to undergo a competency examination.

Myron Tyrone Williams, 42, had a court hearing Monday in a Grosse Pointe Park. Defense lawyer Ray Paige asked for the evaluation.

"He might not be competent right now to assist me in preparing his defense," Paige told WWJ's Charlie Langton. "I just want to make sure the professionals look and it and so we cross the t's and dot the i's."

Paige is not convinced that his client killed Sebrina Gianino and believes her boyfriend might have played a role in her death.

"I'm not conceding that this guy was involved in anything ... I don't see anything tangible that makes me believe they can prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt," Paige said.

Gianino, 35, was found strangled on May 15 at the flat she shared with her boyfriend on Wayburn Street, near Alter and Jefferson Ave.

Williams was quickly identified as a person of interest and was arrested on separate marijuana charges, but they were dismissed at prosecutors' request because release of evidence in that case would have interfered with the murder investigation.

Police aren't saying what the motive for the killing may have been.

Grosse Pointe Park Police Chief David Hiller said Willams is being treated as an habitual offender.

Williams is charged with first-degree murder and unarmed robbery.  If convicted, he'll spend the rest of his life in prison. Williams is due back in court on Oct. 10.

[More on this story]

(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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