Convicted killer found competent

A man who shot and killed a Sidney woman three years ago will be sentenced next month in Cheyenne County District Court on his first-degree murder conviction.

Larry Martinez was convicted in March 2014 in the murder of Mandy Kershman.

Cheyenne County District Court Judge Derek Weimer ruled Friday that Martinez was competent at the time to stand trial, and will be sentenced here on Sept. 9 at 1 p.m.

Martinez is facing life in prison without the possibility of parole.

A jury spent just 53 minutes in deliberations back in March 2014 before returning convictions on the murder charge and a count of the use of a firearm to commit a felony.

The jury consisted of 11 men and 1 woman and they heard four days of evidence in district court before reaching their decision.

Martinez shot and killed Kershman at a residence on the north side of Sidney on July 18, 2012. He was reportedly angered by a text that Kershman sent to him shortly before the shooting.

Sentencing was originally set for May 7, 2014, but Martinez' counsel filed a competency hearing after the trial and a series of psychological tests were conducted.

Court documents say that Martinez had ta driver's license, was solely responsible for his finances and held down two jobs. After his arrest, he was able to comprehend interview questions and understand court proceedings, the ruling stated.

Despite having an IQ of 57, which is in the "extremely low" range, doctors determined he met the criteria to be medically considered "competent."