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<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; The man who police say opened fire in the parking lot of the Wilkes-Barre Township Walmart two years ago will be proceeding to trial with his public defender.</p><p>Luzerne County Judge David Lupas rejected Scott Sargent&#8217;s request for a new lawyer on Friday, according to court filings.</p><p>The decision comes in spite of testimony from psychiatrist Dr. Richard Fischbein during Sargent&#8217;s <a href="https://www.timesleader.com/news/674472/experts-disagree-on-competency-of-accused-walmart-shooter" target="_blank">competency hearing</a> last month that Sargent has a delusional belief that his attorney, Joseph Yeager, is part of a conspiracy against him.</p><p>This belief, Fischbein testified, stems from Yeager asking Sargent to discuss taking a plea bargain.</p><p>With Sargent&#8217;s request for a new attorney rejected, his trial will remain scheduled for Monday, Oct. 16.</p><p>Sargent, 32, of Shenandoah, is accused of opening fire in the Walmart parking lot with a semi-automatic rifle equipped with a scope on Oct. 17, 2015. The bullets struck vehicles and the doors of the store&#8217;s auto center before officers shot him in the stomach and disarmed him. </p><p>Experts argued over Sargent&#8217;s competency to stand trial Sept. 7.</p><p>Fischbein asserted that Sargent fully believes his alleged actions were justified, and that he would not be competent to stand trial unless he received psychological treatment.</p><p>Dr. John Sebastian O&#8217;Brien II, meanwhile, argued Sargent was in fact competent to stand trial, saying Sargent&#8217;s heavy drug use at the time of the incident could have caused his delusions. In addition, he noted that Sargent&#8217;s records made no reference to psychiatric symptoms.</p><p>Judge Lupas ultimately ruled Sargent was competent.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Sargent </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/web1_sargent-color.jpg</photo0><caption0>Sargent </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Patrick Kernan</p><p>pkernan@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Patrick Kernan at 570-991-6386 or on Twitter @PatKernan</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Alleged Walmart shooter denied bid to replace attorney; trial date stands