By GARRETT NEESE

Daily Mining Gazette

PHOENIX — A former Hancock resident who allegedly killed a former Lake Linden resident in Arizona in March was found competent to stand trial and will have hearings over the next three months to set dates for further proceedings.

Elliot Bennett, 19, had undergone court-ordered testing to determine if he was mentally competent. After evaluations performed in August, the court found Bennett understood the legal proceedings and was able to assist in his defense.

Bennett, now of Lake Havasu City, Arizona, had originally been scheduled to stand trial in November for allegedly fatally shooting Jacques Bourdeau at Bourdeau’s house in Mesa.

Bennett faces three felony counts: first-degree murder, first-degree burglary and endangerment. The murder charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Bennett will have a trial assignment hearing on Jan. 22. That hearing will determine dates for the trial procedure conference and jury selection.

Additionally, a complex case management conference was set for Nov. 14, and a final trial management conference for Jan. 10.

Witnesses said Bennett broke into Bourdeau’s house following a loud altercation involving gunfire between the two on Bourdeau’s front lawn. Bourdeau ran inside and locked the door.

Bourdeau had told the witnesses Bennett was coming over, describing him as a friend.

Upon entering the house, Bennett then found Bourdeau in a bathroom where he had hidden, shooting Bourdeau several times, according to a police report.

Police found a vehicle matching surveillance footage of one seen driving away from the house in Lake Havasu City at the home Bennett shared with his parents. He was arrested two days later.