UPSON COUNTY JURY SAYS ACCUSED DEPUTY KILLER CAN STAND TRIAL FOR MURDER

AN UPSON COUNTY JURY HAS RETURNED A VERDICT THAT CHRISTOPHER CALMER—ACCUSED OF THE MURDER OF MONROE COUNTY DEPUTY MICHAEL NORRIS—IS COMPETENT TO STAND TRIAL.

THE UPSON COUNTY PANEL DELIBRATED AN HOUR AND 20 MINUTES THURSDAY MORNING AT THE MONROE COUNTY COURTHOUSE-- BEFORE DETERMINING THAT CALMER IS MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY FIT TO STAND TRIAL FOR MURDER NEXT YEAR.

DEFENSE LAWYERS ARGUED CALMER AGE 48-- SUFFERS FROM BACK AND NECK PAIN THAT WOULD NOT ALLOW HIM TO ASSIST WITH HIS DEFENSE IN A MURDER TRIAL.

DURING THE TRIAL -A STATE OF GA. FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGIST TESTIFIED SHE BELIEVES CALMER IS COMPETENT TO STAND TRIAL.

CALMER WHO CUSSED AT THE JUDGE EARLIER IN THE WEEK BECAUSE HE WOULD NOT ALLOW HIM TO LIE ON A GURNEY---IN THE COURTROOM-- HAD NO REACTION TO THE VERDICT.

DEPUTY NORRIS AND DEPUTY JEFF WILSON WERE RESPONDING TO A CALL ABOUT SOMEONE THREATENING SUCIDE IN BOLINGBROKE—WHEN NORRIS WAS SHOT AND KILLED AND WILSON WAS WOUNDED.