A Santa Barbara County Superior Court Judge ruled Wednesday morning that a Santa Maria man facing multiple felony charges is mentally competent to stand trial.

James Alexander, 33, was arrested on suspicion of rape, robbery, assault and other charges in 2003. He was released from Patton State Hospital in December 2005 after doctors there found him mentally competent to stand trial.

Alexander is due back in Superior Court in Santa Maria on May 23 at which time his trial date will likely be set.

Victims, witnesses sought in alleged financial elder abuse