Competency evaluations ordered for child abuse suspect

BEATRICE – A district judge has granted defense motions to determine competency of a man to stand trial in two separate cases in Gage County.

District Judge Rick Schreiner has granted the motions for competency evaluations to help determine whether 27-year-old Austin Meyn can stand trial in two cases. 

Meyn is charged with committing intentional child abuse resulting in the death of a young child in Beatrice…a charge that carries a possible sentence, if convicted, of up to life in prison with a 20-year minimum term.

Meyn also faces charges in a separate case of first-degree sexual assault of a child and intentionally committing child abuse, without injury.  The assault count carries a potential sentence of up to life in prison while the child abuse charge carries a possible sentence of up to three years in prison.

The competency evaluations will be completed by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Lincoln Regional Center…..at the Gage County Jail….where Meyn remains in custody.

The rulings on the motions were issued Tuesday.