HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The trial for Jeffrey Dean Howell was continued after he was assigned a new attorney. The 59-year-old was arrested for a series of robberies and will receive a mental evaluation at Larned State Hospital.

Howell is charged with four counts of aggravated robbery, three counts of kidnapping and one count of attempted aggravated robbery. Howell got away with a total of $934.

The robberies occurred at Dillons, 206 W. 5th, the Kwik Shops at 1401 E. 4th and 1701 N. Monroe, the Subway at 1530 E. 11th, and Vic’s Dog Grooming at 1017 E. 4th. The robbery at Vic’s occurred on Oct. 25 of last year.

District Judge Tim Chambers assigned Wichita Attorney Steve Osburn to the case because of a conflict with the Regional Public Defenders Office. Osburn requested a mental evaluation after meeting with Howell. That was granted by Judge Chambers.

Howell remains jailed on a $225,000 bond. Everything in the case is on hold, pending the outcome of that evaluation.