(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Nicholas Jordan, the suspect arrested in connection to the February 16 double homicide at UCCS, appeared in El Paso County Court at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 18, for a status conference to determine future steps in the case.

The judge started by addressing the defense’s request to evaluate Jordan’s competency to stand trial and agreed that there was concern about whether the defendant was able to understand the proceedings fully and could participate with his attorney in his defense. The judge noted that after the hearing he would put in an order for Jordan to be evaluated by a psychologist from the state hospital.

When questioned about his level of education, Jordan said he was a Junior at UCCS, pursuing an accounting degree, but that it was a struggle. The judge explained to Jordan that the findings in the psychological evaluation would not be private, that the information would go to all lawyers involved and the judge, and that it could be used as evidence in the trial if it contradicted his testimony, and could be used in sentencing if he is convicted. However, the judge acknowledged that Jordan would have the right to seek a second opinion if he wished to challenge the report.

Image from March 18, 2024 status conference for Nicholas Jordan.

A preliminary hearing, originally scheduled for Wednesday, March 27, is now on hold but could be rescheduled after the competency hearing, which is set for Friday, April 12 at 11 a.m.

The judge then moved to the second matter in the conference, which was determining whether the defense would have received all of the necessary evidence gathered by the prosecution in time for the preliminary hearing. The prosecution indicated that they had sent all of the evidence gathered so far, but would be updating the witness list as they finalized it, and it shouldn’t interfere with scheduled dates.