MANSFIELD, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—Bryce Witchey, 28, of Mansfield, currently indicted on 31 felony counts related to child pornography and facing serious allegations of attempting to solicit sex from an 8-year-old girl online, has been found competent to stand trial.

Witchey was examined by the District V Forensic Diagnostic Center. If convicted on all charges, Witchey could be sentenced to over 100 years in prison. His former defense attorney, Rolf Whitney, had filed a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity in June, but the case has since taken a new direction with the appointment of his current attorney, Bernie Davis.

During a pretrial hearing on Monday before Richland County Common Pleas Judge Brent Robinson, Davis requested an independent evaluation of Witchey. Originally scheduled for trial on February 6, the defense is now seeking a continuance to prepare for the proceedings.

Crawford County Now will continue to monitor this developing story and provide updates as they become available.