ROGERS CITY – A Posen man accused of killing two brothers has been found competent to stand trial.

An evaluation from a state forensic psychiatrist found that Richard Strzelecki, 63, is mentally fit to be tried for the charges he faces. He’s accused of the shooting deaths of Eugene and Henry Hincka on Jan. 15 in a Pulawski Township home. Now, 89th District Court Judge Maria Barton has set a date for his preliminary examination.

After Strzelecki’s competency hearing Tuesday, his attorney, Travis Groat, noted the difference between being fit to stand trial and being criminally responsible for his actions. His criminal responsibility has not yet been determined, and the fact Strzelecki was well-known in his community with no prior criminal history should be an indicator that something else is at play.

“What people out there should be asking themselves is why a man of his status and age would do this,” he said. “We think there are other reasons behind this, and we are just getting into them through discovery.”

David Harris, Strzelecki’s co-counsel, previously said Strzelecki had mental health issues prior to the incident and had changed his medication in the weeks preceding Jan. 15.

Presque Isle County Prosecutor Richard Steiger said being fit to stand trial means a defendant understands the role of his defense attorney, the prosecutor, judge and, if it should reach that stage, jury.

Steiger declined to comment further on the case.

Strzelecki is set for a preliminary hearing on April 13, when a judge will determine if there’s probable cause to believe he committed the double homicide and should be bound over to circuit court. He faces two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of felony murder and one count each of home invasion and felony firearm, according to a release from the Presque Isle County Sheriff Department.

Sheriff’s deputies responded Jan. 15 to a home on Hincka Road near Darga Highway to a report of a possible shooting, according to a release from the department. They arrived to find that Eugene, 60, and brother Henry, 48, were both dead and appeared to have been shot.

Strzlelecki was taken into custody shortly after, according to a release from the department. He and the Hinckas were neighbors and business partners, and an investigation showed there were financial issues that could have been a factor. He is being held without bond due to the violent nature of the accusations.

Jordan Travis can be reached via email at jtravis@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5688. Follow Jordan on Twitter @jt_alpenanews. Read his blog, A Snowball’s Chance, at www.thealpenanews.com.