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Jamarion Lawhorn sits in between two attorneys Tuesday, Dec. 23 during a brief court hearing

(John Tunison | MLive Media)

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Jamarion Lawhorn, the 12-year-old accused of fatally stabbing a 9-year-old boy at a Kentwood playground in August, has been found competent to stand trial by a state psychologist.

Jamarion was in Kent County Family Court for a brief hearing Tuesday, Dec. 23 to go over the psychologist's report on him.

A judge will decide at a later date whether to approve the 33-page report from the Center for Forensic Psychiatry.

Jamarion's attorney, Charles Boekeloo, has been given two weeks to decide whether to hire an independent psychologist and possibly challenge the report.

Jamarion Lawhorn

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Judge Paul Denenfeld wanted to make sure Jamarion understood the proceedings and asked him a handful of questions.

"Do you understand what's going on here?" the judge asked.

"Yes sir," he answered.

Prosecutors say Jamarion was found both competent and criminally responsible by psychologists at the Center for Forensic Psychiatry.

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Criminal responsibility does not constitute guilt, but means that a person who commits a crime understood their actions during an act of wrongdoing.

Jamarion is charged with murder for the Aug. 4 death of Connor Verkerke. The younger boy was stabbed at a Pinebrook Village playground. Police said the two children did not know each other, and no argument preceded the stabbing.

Moments after the stabbing, Jamarion allegedly told a 911 dispatcher he had stabbed someone, that he hated his life and had “taken many pills.”

Jamarion Lawhorn waives pre-trial hearing 5 Gallery: Jamarion Lawhorn waives pre-trial hearing

E-mail John Tunison: jtunison@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/johntunison