by Tahlia Ganser
MOUNT VERNON — The Lynden man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend in 2006 and who led police to her remains more than a year later was ordered Thursday to Western State Hospital for another 180 days.
Ben Price, 29, has already spent two 90-day periods at the mental hospital, where state psychiatrists are trying to bring him to competency.
Price is accused of killing 44-year-old Dawn Ruger of Skagit County by breaking her neck.
In May 2008, Price led investigators to Ruger’s burial site in a remote area of Whatcom County. He told Bellingham police he killed Ruger along Highway 20 east of Sedro-Woolley around New Year’s Eve 2006, court records say.
In previous court appearances, Price’s attorney had questioned Price’s ability to understand court proceedings and assist in his own defense, saying his client was suffering “some pretty serious hallucinations.”
Attorneys from both sides agreed Thursday in Skagit County Superior Court that Price needs further treatment before he can stand trial.
