MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP, abc24.com) - A teenager charged with fatally stabbing his school principal has pleaded not guilty to a first-degree murder charge.
Eduardo Marmolejo did not speak during the brief Shelby County Criminal Court appearance on Monday.
The 16-year-old suspect's attorney, Leslie Ballin, requested a mental evaluation and the court approved it.
"I firmly believe that issues of competency are there, sanity issues may or may not be, but I'm concerned whether or not he can follow a trial. He just doesn't have the ability to comprehend, to follow to understand," he said.
Marmolejo was an 11th-grader at Memphis Junior Academy when he was charged in the death of Suzette York in August.
His case was transferred to adult court a month after he was charged.
Police said Marmolejo told investigators he was angry with York and that he sharpened his knife and planned the attack the night before it occurred.
The youth has been held without bond since his arrest.
