A continuation in a DeKalb County murder case was granted earlier in the week by Circuit Judge Jeremy Taylor.

Benjamin McClure stands charged with slaying Fyffe resident, Michael Arnold Johnson, October 14th of last year (2015), shooting him several times at a residence on County Road 578.

McClure changed his plea from not guilty, to not guilty due to reason of mental disease or defect, in the wake of his attorney saying, he has learned that, McClure (quote) “has a significant mental health history.”, adding that he would like to have his client receive a mental evaluation.

Deputy District Attorney Bob Johnston stated that he had no problem with the continuance and that all parties would benefit from knowing the outcome of such an evaluation.

After granting the continuance, Taylor said his office would appoint an examiner to conduct the evaluation, and he would set McClure’s case for the next docket.

McClure remains in the DeKalb County Detention Center with bond set at $500,000.

(Ft Payne Times-Journal/www.times-journal.com)