By Associated Press - Thursday, September 13, 2018

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) - A prosecutor has asked a judge for a psychological examination of a man accused of setting a fatal Sioux City fire.

Woodbury County court records show the prosecutor filed a motion Tuesday regarding 51-year-old Robert Mahoney. He’s pleaded not guilty to charges of arson and involuntary manslaughter in the Feb. 4 fire that killed 51-year-old Wanda Blake.

Mahoney’s attorney has filed notice that she may use a defense of diminished capacity. The prosecutor’s motion says Mahoney has been examined by a mental health expert on behalf of the defense and says that state law therefore entitles the prosecution to have Mahoney examined by a state expert.

The records didn’t say when the judge might rule on the motion. Mahoney’s trial is scheduled to begin Tuesday in Sioux City.

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