Death row inmate ruled competent for 2nd trial

CONWAY, S.C. (AP) - A man on South Carolina’s death row for killing his girlfriend has been ruled competent to stand trial in a second death penalty case.

The Sun News of Myrtle Beach reports Thursday that Judge Steven John ruled that Stephen Stanko is competent to be tried in the death of 74-year-old Henry Lee Turner.

Turner was found shot to death at his home on April 8, 2005.

Stanko has been sentenced to die for killing his live-in girlfriend, Laura Ling, and assaulting a teen on the same day. Stanko is being held on death row in Ridgeville, with no date set for his execution.

Stanko’s trial is set to begin Monday. A gag order prevents attorneys from discussing the case.