Judge: No competency hearing for killer who refuses to talk

(AP) — A judge on Monday denied a request for an emergency competency hearing after a survivalist convicted of ambushing two Pennsylvania State Police troopers refused to communicate with his lawyers during the penalty phase of his capital murder trial.

Eric Frein's lawyers made the request after learning from jail officials that "he would not walk, would not talk, was staring off into space and had to be brought here in a wheelchair," defense attorney Michael Weinstein told the judge.

The district attorney accused Frein of faking it, and Pike County Judge Gregory Chelak denied the request.

The gunman appeared disheveled and unsteady on his feet Monday and had to be helped into the courtroom by two sheriff's deputies.

At another point, Frein told his mother he "didn't sleep" and, apparently referring to the suicide watch, added: "Talked to the psych this morning, and nobody knows who put me on this or why and nobody knows how to get off of it."