An Edwardsburg man charged with stabbing his sister to death in June will undergo a competency examination before a judge can determine if his case can be bound over for trial.

Edward J. Hensley’s attorney filed a motion for the exam during a pre-exam conference Wednesday afternoon in Cass County Court.

Cindy Peters, administrative assistant at the Cass County Prosecutor’s Office, said the motion means Hensley, 59, is ordered to go to the forensic center to be examined. A written report of the findings will presented to Judge Stacey Rentfrow.

The process could take a couple months, Peters said.

Hensley was arraigned on an open murder charge July 3 in Cass County Fourth District Court for allegedly stabbing Martha Sexton approximately 11 times at a residence in the 19000 block of U.S. Highway 12 in Mason Township June 29.

Hensley then fled to the Elkhart area where he was apprehended in possession of the murder weapon, according to prosecutor Victor Fitz.

Rentfrow denied bail for Hensley, who is being lodged at the Cass County Jail.