Flagstaff, Ariz. • A man accused of killing a Utah sheriff's deputy has been found competent to stand trial.

Coconino County Superior Court Judge Mark Moran gave little weight to a conclusion by a defense expert that Scott Curley was incompetent because he says the expert's methodology wasn't valid.

Moran ruled Thursday that Curley has a rational and functional understanding of the proceedings and can aid in his defense.

The prosecution and defense had agreed that Curley is mentally ill. But they disagreed over whether he could help his lawyers mount a defense that could include insanity.

Curley faces a premeditated first-degree murder charge in the 2010 death of Kane County sheriff's deputy Brian Harris.

His trial is set for October.

The Associated Press