STANARDSVILLE, Va. (AP) -- A capital murder charge has been dropped against a Charlottesville man accused in the slaying of three in Greene County.

Prosecutor Ronald L. Morris says that decision was made based on the results of a mental evaluation of 27-year-old Taybronne Altereik White. He said the defendant could not be subject to a death penalty because of the findings.

White is accused in the May 3 deaths of 26-year-old Brian Robert Daniels, 25-year-old Dustin Tyler Knighton and 26-year-old Lisa Hwang. Investigators believe the three were shot after a botched home invasion.

The Daily Progress (http://bit.ly/TmHlxg) reports that White's attorney asked the court to provide funds for a mental retardation expert for the defense.

White has pleaded not guilty to three first-degree murder charges.