Suspect in Rios murder to undergo more mental exams

Bill Gang

Thursday, Feb. 12, 1998 | 10:23 a.m.

The man charged in the murder of Las Vegas singer Ginger Rios has been declared to be "acutely psychotic" and unable to help his attorney.

Wednesday's preliminary hearing for John Flowers, who is also a suspect in a second slaying, has been postponed so he can undergo an examination by a second psychologist and perhaps undergo evaluation at the state's mental hospital at Lake's Crossing, near Sparks.

Deputy District Attorney Gary Guymon said it could be months before the criminal case could get back on track.

"I understand that everyone wants finality, but it's a necessary delay," the prosecutor said.

If Flowers, also known as Craig Jacobson, is sent to a mental facility it won't be his first foray, according to sources close to the investigation.

Flowers spent "significant time" in a mental facility as a result of a criminal case he was facing several years ago in U.S. District Court on a charge of transporting stolen property, the source said.

Those records have been sealed but could be opened as part of the state's case in the April 4 death of Rios following a visit to the Spy Craft store at 3507 Maryland Parkway.

Mark Hollinger told police that his 20-year-old wife never emerged from the store although Flowers, the store's manager, told Metro Police detectives that Rios left after buying a book about how to kill people and disappear.

But police said Flowers' wife came forward with information in August that led to the recovery of Rios' body in a grave in a southern Arizona desert. A second body was found nearby and police are investigating whether Flowers may have been responsible for that death also.

Flowers was arrested in Los Angeles on murder charges in Rios' death and returned to Nevada.

Outside the courtroom after the case was delayed, Hollinger said he will patiently wait until his wife's murder case is resolved.

"I have confidence in the DA," he said.

Hollinger said that in court he exchanged stares with the haggard-looking defendant.

"I kind of like to shoot daggers at him," said Hollinger, a graphic artist. "He doesn't scare me. He doesn't intimidate me."

Rios was a backup singer with the local band Salsa Machine at the time of her death.