Thursday, Sept. 23, 2004 | 9:47 a.m.
A 23-year-old man arrested Monday in connection with the slayings of his mother, sister and infant nephew at their southwest Las Vegas condominium will undergo competency evaluations and return to court in two weeks.
Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Ann Zimmerman granted a request made by Deputy Public Defender Curtis Brown this morning for more time to determine the mental status of Richard Lentino.
Brown said he hopes to have a report on Lentino's competency completed by Oct. 8 to present to Zimmerman.
Lentino, who appeared unresponsive while Brown was talking to him before today's hearing, is being held in the Mental Protective Ward of the Clark County Detention Center.
Metro Police allege that Lentino killed his 46-year-old mother, Elaine Lentino; 21-year-old sister, Megan Lentino; and his 15-month-old nephew, Craig Hanners Jr.
Lentino's father, also named Richard Lentino, a criminal defense attorney in Middletown, N.Y., has said his son was bipolar but he didn't like taking his medication because of the side effects. He also said his son's mental health had been deteriorating. He and Elaine Lentino divorced in 1997.
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