Black Forest murder defendant ruled competent for trial

An El Paso County judge ruled that the man charged with killing his wife and another woman is competent to stand trial.

Judge Scott Sells made the ruling during a brief hearing on Thursday after reviewing a competency evaluation for Kenneth Lankford, 46.

Lankford is accused of killing his wife, Terry Lankford, 51, and Carol Fowler, 51, last November in Black Forest. He’s also accused of shooting Fowler’s husband, Tom Fowler, in the face.

Sells scheduled a May 12 preliminary hearing for Lankford, to determine if enough evidence exists to proceed to trial.

Kenneth Lankford remains in custody at the El Paso County Criminal Justice Center.