Judge Orders Competency Evaluation For Murder Suspect

CENTENNIAL, Colo. (CBS4) - On Monday, the judge presiding over the murder case of a man accused of shooting his neighbor to death, has ordered a competency evaluation for the suspect.

Kevin Lyons appeared in court on Monday morning in front of Judge Carlos Samour Jr. for the shooting that occurred April 4. He is accused of first shooting his wife then turning the gun on two of his neighbors, injuring one and killing the other, Dr. Kenneth Atkinson.

The evaluation ordered by the judge doesn't come as a surprise after several outbursts in previous court appearances from Lyons.

On Monday, Lyons was arguing with his defense team before the judge even entered court. Lyons said he didn't trust his lawyers and wanted to represent himself.

He also told the court he had retained a private attorney but could not make contact with him because of the snowstorm. No private counsel has filed with the court to represent Lyons.

The judge temporarily suspended all proceedings on Monday and ordered Lyons to the Colorado mental health institute in Pueblo for the competency evaluation.

Until the evaluation is complete, Samour said the Lyons could not represent himself and also advised him to stop making comments in court saying that it would likely hurt him.

Lyons appeared agitated by the judge's statements. He brought with him to court a several page statement he had prepared and said he wanted it on record.

Samour told Lyons that he knows he is unhappy with his ruling but stated "given that the issue of competency has been raised I have to protect your rights even if you think that's not the best."

The competency evaluation will take several weeks. The judge will hold another hearing to review the results on May 31. At that time he'll reevaluate whether or not Lyons is competent to proceed as normal. The judge also ordered, against Lyons' wishes, that he not speak to the media until that evaluation is reviewed.