After charges were dropped for a violent Colorado offender, lawmakers say they plan to take closer look at competency laws

Colorado lawmakers say they plan to take a closer look at the state's competency laws and changes made last year under House Bill 1034.

The renewed scrutiny follows mounting public criticism -- and pushback from local district attorneys and law enforcement -- after charges were dropped against a violent offender who was then released back into the community due to the law's requirements.

Weld County officials say their hands were tied in the case of Debisa Ephraim , a man with a history of assault, burglary and theft arrests. He was charged with attempted murder earlier this year but later released after being declared incompetent and not restorable.

"He was brutally beaten after he was already unconscious," said Griselda, whose brother, the victim in the case, was hospitalized for