Shana Hope Soliz, 45, the suspect in Nov. 21, 2016, stabbing death of Paul Mottinger, 59, both of Hoquiam, has been determined to be competent to stand trial, according to the defense and prosecuting attorneys.

Monday was Soliz’s first appearance in Grays Harbor Superior Court since the competency evaluation was ordered in mid-December. This meeting was postponed most recently because snow fell around the region, making it difficult for some court personnel to travel safely to and from Montesano last week.

Earlier, there had been difficulties completing her 15-day evaluation. Western State Hospital personnel had been too busy to meet the initial Jan. 9 court date, said Jason Walker, deputy prosecuting attorney for Grays Harbor County.

Soliz isn’t expected to enter a plea to the first-degree murder charge until her next scheduled court appearance on Feb. 27.

David Arcuri, her defense attorney, requested a medical doctor be allowed to help him handle Soliz’s case. This professional will require time to meet with the defendant and prepare, he explained to Superior Court Judge David Edwards.

Soliz and Mottinger were living together in Soliz’s Hoquiam residence at the time of the incident. Police say she began stabbing Mottinger with a hunting knife inside the home, then followed him outside to the street where she continued her attack. She went back inside her home after she stopped stabbing Mottinger, who was found alive, but died later. Soliz was taken into custody after an hours-long standoff with law enforcement, according to previous reports.

Results of Soliz’s competency report have been sealed because she has a medical disorder, Arcuri explained.

According to documents from earlier assault cases involving the defendant, she has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and found to have use disorders with opioids, stimulants and cannabis.

The evaluation was ordered based on Soliz’s behavior during her first court appearance. A television news report about the stabbing death showed Soliz explaining to a District Court judge that she had stabbed Mottinger multiple times because he wanted her “oil” and she was “defending her property.”