Photo--Gary Hermesch/Credit: Nemaha Co Sheriff's Office

(KMZA)--An Okahoma man accused of killing a Seneca priest in April will undergo further evaluation at the state's largest psychiatric facility to determine if he's competent to stand trial.  

During a hearing last Thursday in Nemaha County District Court, a judge directed 66-year-old Gary Hermesch to undergo further evaluation at the Larned State Security Hospital based on a written report filed by Kanza Mental Health.  

The judge in November granted a motion filed by Hermesch's attorney for a competency evaluation.  

Hermesch is charged with first-degree murder in the April 3rd killing of Father Arul Carasala outside the Sts. Peter and Paul Church rectory in Seneca.  

Proceedings in the case have been placed on hold pending the outcome of the mental evaluation.