The attorney for Ricky Turco, the 17-year-old facing a manslaughter charge in a March traffic death, said Thursday he will seek a competency hearing for his client.

Franklin Miner said he would file the request in Lancaster County District Court as early as today.

“I have an ethical obligation to know if Mr. Turco is able to understand the (court) proceedings and can intelligently help with his defense,” Miner said in an interview.

“It does not mean he’s not competent. It just means I have concerns.”

Turco, 1411 E St., lost control of his car March 26 near 19th and Stockwell streets and slammed into a tree. Megan Churchill, 15, a back-seat passenger, died from injuries she suffered in the crash.

Witnesses said they saw the 2000 Chrysler Concorde speeding with its tires squealing just before the crash. Two other passengers and Turco were injured.

Turco, who is free on bond, was in Lancaster County Court Thursday for a docket call. Judge Jean Lovell scheduled a preliminary hearing for May 8 on the manslaughter charge.

 At one point during the hearing Thursday, Turco turned and flashed a playful smile at family members in court as he and Miner stood before Lovell.

Turco has amassed a number of traffic-related mishaps — including two other accidents and at least 11 tickets for driving without a license in the past five months — but the manslaughter charge is his most serious. If convicted of the felony, he could be sentenced to as much as 20 years in prison.

Miner said a competency hearing would include an evaluation by a mental health professional appointed by the court. If Turco is determined not to be competent to stand trial, the next question would become when, if ever, he will be, Miner said. That question could lead to counseling or other forms of treatment, he said.

Miner declined to say if Turco had a history of mental illness.

“I don’t feel I’m getting the feedback from my client to show … he’s understanding what’s going on.”

 He said he could proceed with the preliminary hearing while the question of Turco’s competency is pending.

A few of Churchill’s relatives, including her mother, Alisa Heath, attended the hearing Thursday.

Afterward, Lincoln attorney John Ball said he will represent Heath in a wrongful death lawsuit against Turco. He said the lawsuit might include other claims and defendants, but did not elaborate.

“This isn’t about the money,” he said. “It’s about justice for Megan and giving her a voice in all of this.”

In a related incident, Turco reported to Lincoln police that someone entered his residence through an unlocked screen door Tuesday and stole several Playstation games. The burglary occurred between 9:15 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. Tuesday, according to a police record.

 Reach Clarence Mabin at cmabin@journalstar.com or 473-7234.