ST. PETER, Minn. (AP) - A North Mankato man has been found competent to stand trial on charges he phoned in a fake bomb threat to last year's Mankato Marathon.

Fifty-seven-year-old Brian Mechler appeared Tuesday in a Nicollet County courtroom where results of a mental health evaluation were presented.

Blue Earth County Attorney Pat McDermott, whose office is handling the case, tells reporters the exam found Mechler is competent to stand trial, and was competent when the incident took place. The defense had requested the evaluation.

Mechler is accused of falsely reporting that he received a bomb threat before the 2014 Mankato Marathon. Authorities determined that he had never received any such threat.

Mechler is due back in court Oct. 20. He maintains his innocence.

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