Competency hearing ordered in Stupak case

BAY CITY, Mich. (AP) -- A judge has ordered a mental-competency hearing for a Michigan man accused of threatening a congressman. Bay City federal Judge Thomas Ludington says he recently received a report on Russell Hesch's mental health. Without disclosing the contents, he ordered a magistrate judge on Monday to determine if the 74-year-old West Branch man is competent to stand trial. A hearing date wasn't immediately set. Hesch was charged last year with writing a letter that threatened to paint the Mackinac Bridge with Bart Stupak's blood because he voted for a health care law. Stupak represented northern Michigan in Congress at the time but since retired. If Hesch is declared competent, his lawyers still could raise an insanity defense at trial. Published: Wed, Apr 13, 2011