Alleged triple murderer Scott Thorpe was transported Thursday to Atascadero State Hospital, where staff will try to help restore his mental competency.

A Wayne Brown Correctional Facility officer said Thorpe left in the morning.

The transfer came exactly four months after the Jan. 10 shootings at the Nevada County Department of Behavioral Health Services and Lyon's Restaurant that killed three and left three seriously injured. The transfer was ordered by Nevada County Superior Court more than two weeks ago, on April 25.

At Atascadero, Thorpe will get counseling and medication and possibly take part in a mock trial to familiarize him with the legal process.

In March, three doctors who evaluated the 41-year-old Smartville man found him delusional and incapable of assisting in his own defense.

Atascadero psychiatrist Dr. Thomas Cahill heads the program that will treat Thorpe. He said the average patient's competency is restored in 79 days.

If Thorpe becomes competent, he will be returned to Nevada County to face charges.

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