Charles Severance found competent to stand trial

The man charged with three high-profile murders over the last decade in Alexandria has been declared competent to stand trial.

The ruling comes from Judge Jane Roush after she ordered Charles Severance to undergo a competency exam after he caused a disruption during a court hearing back in December.

After his attorneys had asked for the competency exam, the 54-year-old objected and flipped off a photographer with his middle finger before telling Judge Roush he did not want the counsel of his attorneys anymore.

In January, Severance was ordered to be hospitalized for a more complete mental evaluation.

Severance's attorneys are also arguing for his trial to be held outside the city of Alexandria, according to the Washington Post.

A former candidate for the mayor of Alexandria, Severance is accused in the shooting deaths of realtor and wife of a former Alexandria sheriff, Nancy Dunning, transportation planner Ron Kirby and music teacher Ruthanne Lodato from 2003 to 2014.

Severance's trial is scheduled to begin on October 5.