CASSOPOLIS — A Niles man who surrendered to police after a 14-hour standoff in Edwardsburg Feb. 20 will undergo a competency evaluation to determine if he is mentally fit to stand trial.
Judge Stacey Rentfrow made that determination at the request of Michael Ray Long’s court-appointed attorney, Dale Blunier, during a pre-exam hearing Wednesday in the Cass County Fourth District Court.
“The court does always want to make for sure that in any actions the defendant understands the course of the trial and is able to communicate with counsel,” Rentfrow said.
Blunier said he doubts whether Long has the ability to understand the charges against him. He also said Long is on suicide watch at the Cass County Jail, where he is being held.
“His mental state is fluctuating at this time,” Blunier said.
Assistant prosecutor Tiffiny Vohwinkle asked that Long be required to take a test for sexually transmitted diseases. Rentfrow said she would look into whether the court is allowed to require such a test.
Long was arraigned Feb. 22 on 14 felony accounts, including first-degree criminal sexual conduct, first-degree home invasion and unlawful imprisonment. Rentfrow set Long’s bond at $300,000 cash.
At arraignment, Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz said Long allegedly broke into his ex-wife’s home in Edwardsburg on the morning of Feb. 20. Then, using a loaded gun, he forced the victim to take off her clothes and perform sexual acts on him without her permission.
When police arrived shortly before noon, Long barricaded himself in the residence and threatened to use the gun, primarily on himself, Fitz said. Long surrendered to police around 11:30 p.m. Monday.