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Md. Woman Found Competent In Grandmother's Stabbing Death

FREDERICK, Md. (AP) -- A 19-year-old Frederick County woman accused of fatally stabbing her grandmother has been found competent to participate in her defense.

The Frederick News-Post reports that Hestina Harris' mental competency evaluation was discussed in court Wednesday. A psychiatrist found Harris capable of rational conversation with her lawyer and able to understand the charges.

The judge ordered Harris held without bail pending trial for first-degree murder in the Dec. 22 slaying of 67-year-old Lillie Morris at their home near Burkittsville. A preliminary hearing is set for Jan. 29.

Prosecutors say Morris was stabbed or cut 23 times with a kitchen knife. She was found dying on her front lawn.

Harris has denied killing Morris. She told investigators she saw a masked man running from the house shortly after the attack.

(Copyright 2015 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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