HARRISONVILLE, Mo. — The man accused of killing Kara Kopetsky and Jessica Runions might not undergo a second mental health evaluation.

Kylr Yust appeared in Cass County court Monday. His lawyer said she will withdraw the defense's motion for another mental health evaluation if the jail doctor agrees to give Yust medicine for anxiety and depression.

If the doctor fills the prescriptions and the defense forgoes another evaluation, a Dec. 2 hearing likely would be canceled.

The defense also said Monday it had yet to decide if it would perform independent tests on the remains of Kopetsky and Runions, which were discovered in a remote area of Cass County in April 2017. Yust's attorney estimated the independent testing could take between six months and one year.

Yust's lawyer said the team first wants to read reports from existing tests then make a decision, which will likely be announced Dec. 19 at a scheduled hearing.

The judge also hopes to set a new trial date at the Dec. 19 hearing.

Yust originally was slated to go on trial this month, but defense motions related to his competency to stand trial and discovery issues delayed the court proceedings.

--