By Gary Pitts/Paducah Sun
Paducah, KY – US District Judge Thomas Russell has ruled a former Heath High School student who shot and killed three classmates in 1997 is not entitled to a new mental competency hearing. The ruling prevents Michael Carneal, who originally pleaded guilty but mentally ill, from withdrawing his plea so that he can receive a trial by jury. On December 1, 1997, Carneal opened fire on a prayer group, killing three and wounding five others. The Paducah Sun reports Carneal's lawyers intend to file an appeal to the competency hearing decision.