CHADRON, Neb. - Joseph Hotz, the 25-year-old Chadron man accused of killing his roommate in December, appeared before Dawes County District Judge Brian Silverman in late May. The pre-trial hearing took place in the judge's chambers.

Silverman granted the county attorney's request that the state be allowed to conduct a mental evaluation of Hotz. The defense has already obtained a psychological evaluation, and the state asked that their own expert be allowed the same. Another pre-trial conference is scheduled for July 30, and the trial is now pushed back to the Sept. 9 jury term.

Hotz is charged with first-degree murder in the stabbing death of Kenny Pfeiffer, a fellow Chadron State College student and Hotz's roommate, as well as attempt of a class 1A felony (attempted murder), four counts of use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony, one count of making terroristic threats and one count of attempted robbery.

Dawes County Commissioner Don Blausey indicated at a commissioner's meeting last month that the expense of a psychological evaluation was likely. That piece of the prosecution alone could cost the county between $30,000 and $60,000, he said.