A Hall County district judge has ruled that a 21-year-old man accused of murder is competent to stand trial.

John Zechmann of Grand Island was committed to the Lincoln Regional Center in December, after District Judge James Livingston declared him incompetent to stand trial in the death of Faud Osman.

Last month, Livingston was given a report from doctors that says Zechmann is now fit for trial. He ruled Friday that Zechmann is able to understand the charges against him.

Zechmann is charged with first-degree murder in the August 2007 killing of the 26-year-old Osman. Related charges are pending against two others.

Osman's body was found in a rural Hall County ditch. Authorities have said Osman suffered head injuries, possible penetrating wounds to his torso and a gunshot wound in his back.