Boxer Ibeabuchi rejecting medication in hospital

Kim Smith

Thursday, Sept. 7, 2000 | 1:50 a.m.

Doctors at the state's mental health hospital in Sparks say the only way heavyweight boxer Ikemefula "Ike" Ibeabuchi will ever become competent to stand trial is to medicate him.

The only problem is Ibeabuchi refuses to take the medication.

On Oct. 9, District Judge Joseph Bonaventure is scheduled to decide whether a hearing should be held on the issue of forced medical intervention.

Ibeabuchi is accused of sexually assaulting an escort service employee in July 1999.

Deputy District Attorney Christopher Lalli said that Ibeabuchi can take the recommended medication one of two ways. He can take an oral medication that has few side affects. Or, Lalli said, he can be forcibly injected with a medication that has the potential of also causing motor-skill problems similar to those experienced by people who have Parkinson's disease.

Ibeabuchi doesn't want to take the pills because he doesn't believe he has any mental health problems. His attorney, Richard Wright, doesn't want him injected because of the potential for impact on his boxing skills.

The state, on the other hand, wants Ibeabuchi brought to trial, convicted and sentenced to life in prison.

Lalli said that if Ibeabuchi is never deemed competent, a civil commitment to a state hospital is likely. A state hospital, however, would probably not keep him behind bars for life.

"The judge is going to have to weigh the danger to him and the danger to the community," when deciding if Ibeabuchi should be medicated against his will, Lalli said.

According to police, Ibeabuchi lured a 21-year-old outcall service employee to his hotel room but wouldn't pay the $150 fee for an erotic dance.

The woman testified at a preliminary hearing that Ibeabuchi grabbed her and began to sexually assault her but stopped when a hotel security guard heard her screams.

Bonaventure sent Ibeabuchi to Lake's Crossing Center for the Mentally Disordered Offender in April when doctors agreed that Ibeabuchi did not understand the charges against him and that he could not assist in his own defense.

Defendants who are unable to do either of those things are deemed incompetent to stand trial.

At that time, Ibeabuchi objected strenuously to Bonaventure's decision.

"I want you to understand I don't feel comfortable going to any mental hospital," Ibeabuchi said.