By Todd Hatton
Frankfort, KY – Prosecutors want a mental exam for convicted Heath High School shooter Michael Carneal before a hearing in his case in February. Carneal was convicted for killing three classmates and wounding five others at Heath High School in December of 1997.
The Kentucky Attorney General's Office Wednesday asked a federal judge to allow the exam, which they say would be the first done by the state since Carneal pleaded guilty in 1998. Carneal won a hearing on whether he can pursue withdrawing that guilty plea because he was too mentally ill to disclose he was hearing voices at the time.
Carneal was 14 years old when the shootings occurred, and is serving a life sentence. He is eligible for parole in 2023.