Suspect in killing faces more mental tests

Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2002 | 9:51 a.m.

A Las Vegas man who faces the death penalty in the slaying of a prostitute was ordered to undergo more psychiatric testing after his lawyers told a judge he is only speaking "gibberish."

Vornelius Phillips, 26, is accused of beating Ivy Jean Miller to death April 21 and then, later that day, running down and critically injuring Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Robert Kintzel during a high-speed chase.

Phillips' attorney, Deputy Special Public Defender Daren Richards, told District Judge Lee Gates that Phillips' mental status has deteriorated to such an extent that he can no longer communicate with him or fellow defense attorney Alzora Jackson.

Phillips was taken out of the courtroom prior to the hearing because of repeated unintelligible outbursts.

Phillips was also charged Dec. 10 with battery for allegedly attacking a corrections officer at the Clark County Detention Center when the officer, believing Phillips was having a seizure, entered his cell to help him.

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