BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. -- Lionel Tate's attorney was in court Wednesday trying to win his client an extensive psychological evaluation, but he was denied his request.

Judge Joel Lazarus said that Tate will not get an extensive evaluation, but he will get a competency exam to be performed by two psychologists that both sides have agreed to.

The competency exam follows a letter that Tate sent to Lazarus asking to change his plea. Rubin said that the letter and Tate's behavior indicates that he is not competent. If he changes his plea, Tate could risk life in prison instead of the seven-to-10 year sentence that would come with the plea agreement.

He has already admitted to possession of a firearm, and could face life in prison for that admission alone.

Tate is accused of violating probation by committing the armed robbery of a pizza deliveryman in 2004. Attorney Ellis Rubin said the letter was written without his knowledge and proved that his client is not thinking rationally.

He is on probation for the 1999 death of 6-year-old Tiffany Eunick when he was only 12. He was the youngest person in modern U.S. history to receive a life sentence.

Tate will be back in court April 20 following the competency exam.