A former Murfreesboro, Ark., police officer accused of fatally shooting his girlfriend in the back has been ruled mentally competent to stand trial.

Ninth Circuit Judge Tom Cooper accepted the state hospital’s ruling saying Daniel Gardner, 42, was mentally competent to stand trial and can assist in his defense.

Gardner is charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of his girlfriend, Marie Cogburn, 34, of Nashville, Ark.

Cooper also scheduled a pretrial court date of Jan. 13 and a trial date of Jan. 21.

Gardner allegedly shot Cogburn ...

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