Associated Press - September 17, 2009 12:05 PM ET

FORT WASHAKIE, Wyo. (AP) - Attorneys for an Ethete man charged with first-degree murder in the death of 19-year-old Shyrone R. Brown have asked a federal judge to order a mental evaluation.

Federal public defender David B. Weiss says 20-year-old Mark James Sonnip was insane at the time Brown was killed on the Wind River Indian Reservation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Conder says he has no objection to the request.

Sonnip is set to stand trial on Sept. 28, but if the request for a mental examination is approved the trial will likely be rescheduled. He faces up to life in prison if convicted.

Sonnip is accused of killing Brown by dropping a large rock on him, by kicking and stomping him and by cutting his throat with a broken glass bottle. Brown's body was found in a Fort Washakie home on July 6.

Information from: The (Riverton) Ranger, http://www.dailyranger.com

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