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Manteca Man To Stand Trial For Driving With Wife On Hood

STOCKTON (CBS / AP) -- A judge has ruled that a Central Valley man is competent to stand trial on attempted murder and spousal abuse charges for allegedly speeding with his wife holding on to the hood of his minivan.

San Joaquin County Superior Court Judge Richard Vlavianos on Tuesday found Christopher Carroll competent following results from a third psychiatric exam. Previously, two other doctors were split on Carroll's competency.

Authorities say during the incident in late February, Carroll drove at speeds up to 100 mph, with his wife clinging to the minivan's hood.

Carroll eventually slowed and his wife rolled off. She was not seriously hurt, but after the nearly 40-mile drive from Manteca to Pleasanton, she needed to be treated for hypothermia.

The 36-year-old Carroll has pleaded not guilty, but his plea was not accepted by the judge.

He was ordered to return to court Tuesday.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services may have contributed to this report.)

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