Man deemed incompetent in case where trooper injured: More psychiatric evaluation expected

Kim Smith

Thursday, May 10, 2001 | 11:18 a.m.

A Clark County grand jury is scheduled to meet today to hear evidence against the man accused of running over a Nevada Highway Patrol trooper, but it probably won't deliberate until a later date because the man has been deemed incompetent.

Deputy District Attorney Robert Daskas said Wednesday he received a report from a psychologist who says that Vornelius Phillips, 25, doesn't understand the nature of the charges against him and is unable to help his public defender mount a defense.

The psychologist, Dodge Slagle, was hired by the Clark County Public Defender's Office, which intends to seek a second opinion, Daskas said.

Daskas said he will ask Justice of the Peace Ann Zimmerman on Friday for permission to hire a third psychologist to examine Phillips in case the two defense experts offer varying opinions.

Although Daskas must go forward with the grand jury today, he said he will not ask the grand jury to deliberate until he is assured Phillips is competent.

Daskas explained that if an indictment was to be returned today and Phillips was later found to be truly incompetent, the charges might end up being dismissed.

Defendants must be competent at the time of any grand jury proceeding in the event they want to testify or provide their attorney information that might prove their innocence, Daskas said.

Should all three psychologists agree Phillips is incompetent, he will be sent to the Lake's Crossing mental health facility in Sparks for treatment.

Phillips had to be removed from the courtroom last week when he began acting oddly during his initial appearance. He sang and talked to himself, said he didn't know why he was in court and began making strange noises.

According to police, Phillips hailed a cab near the Las Vegas Convention Center on April 21 and went to McCarran International Airport. He then got behind the wheel of another cab while the driver was handling baggage and sped off, police allege.

Joan Lewis, a visitor from Maryland, was in the back seat of the cab as it sped off. She apparently jumped out when Phillips refused to stop and let her out, police said. Lewis is recovering from her injuries at University Medical Center,

When traffic slowed because of another accident, Phillips allegedly approached another driver and forced his way behind the wheel of an SUV, police said. The driver escaped the truck.

A police chase ensued and took officers from at least five different police agencies along Interstate 215 and U.S. 95.

During the chase, police allege Phillips ran over Trooper Robert Kintzel while the trooper was putting down metal spikes on U.S. 95 to puncture the tires of the fleeing vehicle. Kintzel underwent brain surgery and this morning remained in critical condition at University Medical Center.

After the trooper was hit, a Metro Police officer rammed the stolen SUV to end the chase.

An hour later the body of Ivy Shunstrom, 40, was found at a Budget Suites motel and forensic evidence ties Phillips to her death, Daskas said.

Daskas said Lewis could be released from the hospital as early as this weekend.

NHP Trooper Alan Davidson said Wednesday evening that Kintzel is no longer receiving the medicine that placed him into an induced coma.

And while he is still unconscious he has opened his eyes a few times, Davidson said. In addition, Kintzel, who had a portion of his brain removed, is attempting to breathe on his own.

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