Mental health eval ordered in kidnapping case

Associated Press
POSTED: 10:53 AM Jul 31 2012
OROFINO, Idaho -

A judge has ordered a mental health evaluation for a 56-year-old Lewiston man charged with kidnapping a 6-year-old child and holding him at knifepoint while demanding a ride into Orofino.
   
Magistrate Judge Randall Robinson granted a motion from Roger Dale Ehler's attorney to have Ehler evaluated to determine if he is competent to assist in his own defense.
   
Ehler had been staying with a relative of the child's near Orofino on July 14 when he demanded that the boy's father give him a ride into town.
   
Ehler is charged with first-degree kidnapping, aggravated battery, injury to a child and possession of methamphetamine along with several misdemeanors.
   
Clearwater County Prosecutor E. Clayne Tyler agreed with the motion for the evaluation, but asked that Ehler's bond remain at $600,000.