Oklahoma judge rules death row inmate not competent to be executed

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — An Oklahoma judge ruled Thursday that a death row inmate is not competent to be executed for his role in the 1999 slayings of a mother and son.

Pittsburg County Judge Michael Hogan issued an order in the case involving 61-year-old James Ryder in that county.

"The court could go on ad nauseum discussing the irrational thought processes of Mr. Ryder, but this is not needed," Hogan wrote in his order. "To be clear, the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence, Mr. Ryder is not competent to be executed" under state law.

Hogan's decision followed a competency hearing this...