Judge wants another opinion on competency in Ibeabuchi sex case

Thursday, Jan. 4, 2001 | 3:14 a.m.

In a split decision, a three-doctor state panel called heavyweight boxer Ikemefula "Ike" Ibeabuchi competent to stand trial on sexual assault charges.

But a District Court judge agreed Thursday to get another opinion about the 28-year-old boxer's sanity before deciding whether Ibeabuchi should be forcibly medicated in court.

Ibeabuchi is accused of trying to rape an escort service dancer in his room at a Strip hotel in July 1999.

Judge Joseph Bonaventure wants a psychiatrist familiar with Ibeabuchi's case to get another chance to decide if the boxer understands the charges against him and can help in his court defense.

Bonaventure set another competency hearing Feb. 8 at a yet-to-be-determined site in Reno - near the office of Dr. Thomas Bittker, the three doctors consulted by the state and the psychiatric ward at Nevada State Prison in Carson City where Ibeabuchi is being held.

Bittker examined Ibeabuchi in April and told the court that the boxer doesn't grasp the link between behavior and consequences.

On Thursday, defense lawyer Richard Wright said eight psychologists and psychiatrists have examined the 28-year-old fighter since his arrest. Six called him unfit for trial, one found him competent and one termed Ibeabuchi "marginally competent," the lawyer said.

State doctors said in September that if Ibeabuchi is medicated, he could be made competent for trial.

But Ibeabuchi refused voluntary medication. Wright said the unspecified anti-psychotic medications the state wants to administer could cause motor-skill problems that would harm Ibeabuchi's boxing career.

The Nigerian native was on the verge of getting a heavyweight title fight when he was arrested. He was undefeated at 20-0 with 15 knockouts and had been ranked No. 2 by the IBF.