The case against a Minot man accused of fatally assaulting another man outside a Minot hotel in February has been suspended after it was determined he is not competent to stand trial.

Casey Scott Vollmer, 34, was arrested on Feb. 17 for allegedly assaulting Albert Granger, who later succumbed to his injuries after being taken to the hospital for treatment. Vollmer appeared before Judge Gary Lee in district court in Minot on Wednesday afternoon for a hearing reviewing the results of a report investigating concerns raised by his defense about his competency after his arrest.

Vollmer was then sent to the State Hospital in Jamestown, where he was examined and evaluated by a forensic psychologist. The psychologist’s report deemed Vollmer currently unfit to proceed, and that he requires inpatient hospitalization to regain competency.

Under North Dakota law, a defendant that has been examined by a mental health professional and deemed to be unfit to stand trial could see the proceedings suspended or dismissed. According to the statute, a felony proceeding must be suspended for up to 180 days which can be extended for an additional six months by the court if there is medical evidence that more treatment is required.

Ward County State’s Attorney Rosa Larson didn’t object to the suspension as the psychologist who authored the report has worked for the state in the past. However, Larson asked that the court order Vollmer to comply with the treatment regimen prescribed.

“Your honor, the state would ask that he be ordered to comply with the treatment regimen that the State Hospital deems appropriate and that’s consistent with what the doctor was recommending,” Larson said. “Specifically that medications are critical, and that if he doesn’t voluntarily take medications that the State Hospital be authorized to proceed with forced medication.”