Suspect in Winter Park woman's death in court

ORLANDO, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - A judge on Friday allowed Scott Nelson to have a mental competency hearing, before other proceedings take place.  Nelson was arrested in Jacksonville a week ago in the investigation into the murder of Jennifer Fulford.

Nelson appeared in federal court, but those charges had nothing to do with Fulford's death. They were about violation of probation after being convicted for robbing a Volusia County bank, back in 2010.

"The main charges were that he changed his residence and left his employer," explained his defense attorney, Dan Eckhart. 

Eckhart said Nelson worked for a painter.

Questions still remain regarding Fulford's death, as police continue to investigate.  Nelson is currently accused of grand theft, theft of a credit card and criminal use of an identification as it relates to the Fulford case.   Winter Park police investigators said he stole Fulford's ATM card to get money. 

Friday's ruling could delay all proceedings.

"You want to make sure he's competent to make the right decisions as far as his defense," said Eckhart.  "He'll be taken to the Bureau of Prisons, almost immediately. He'll be in custody, and there will be a mental health evaluation, most likely in Buckner, North Carolina."

Eckhart said it could take months before the mental evaluation is available.