Psychiatric evaluation ordered for slaying suspect

Kim Smith

Thursday, March 30, 2000 | 11:04 a.m.

The arraignment of a former New Yorker accused of shooting to death another New Yorker at the Stardust hotel-casino in February has been delayed, pending a psychiatric evaluation.

Anthony Cuccia, 59, has twice refused to see a doctor sent to evaluate him at the Clark County Detention Center, but he struck a deal with District Judge Donald Mosley for a third visit.

Cuccia told Mosley he doesn't believe he is incompetent, but he would see the doctor if the judge would allow him to plead not guilty at this morning's arraignment. Mosley ignored that request and told Cuccia he had a choice between having a doctor visit him or going to a psychiatric institution for an evaluation.

Cuccia agreed to see the doctor at the jail.

Deputy Public Defender Kedric Bassett said he believes the evaluation is necessary because of comments made at the time of the shooting and because Cuccia was once declared incompetent during a federal drug case. Cuccia reportedly threatened the judge and the judge ordered an evaluation.

Bassett said he didn't know how that case was resolved, but Cuccia said during this morning's hearing that he was declared competent after once being declared incompetent.

Cuccia is charged with murder in the death of Philip M. Greenspan, 56. Witnesses told police that Cuccia shot Greenspan at point-blank range inside the Strip resort's sports book on Feb. 7.

Police have discovered the two men once lived in the same New York City borough, but they haven't discovered a motive for the shooting.

Cuccia started the hearing this morning by loudly declaring that Bassett is not his attorney. He complained that Bassett hasn't consulted with him often enough in the weeks since his arrest.

At the end of the hearing, Cuccia asked if he could get a new attorney and Mosley told him that once the evaluation is complete and the case gets going he will find that he likes Bassett.

Mosley scheduled a status hearing for April 11.

Kim Smith covers courts for the Sun. She can be reached at (702) 259-2321 or by e-mail at kimberly@lasvegassun.com