A Virginia judge has ruled that the man accused of killing an 8-year-old boy in Alexandria (web|news) eight years ago is still incompetent to stand trial.

The defendant, 36-year-old Gregory Murphy, will continue to be held at a state mental hospital for further treatment.

Murphy is charged with killing Kevin Shifflett in April 2000. The boy was playing on a sidewalk when he was approached by a man who stabbed him 18 times. Two adults who tried to protect the boy were wounded. '

Murphy is being held at Central State Hospital in Petersburg, Va.

Alexandria Commonwealth's Attorney S. Randolph Sengel says Murphy's next competency hearing will be Dec. 4. Sengel says Murphy has been declared incompetent every six months since 2001.

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Information from: The Washington Post

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