An accused murderer who attacked his attorney in court in May needs to undergo medical treatment before being determined competent to stand trial, his new attorney told the judge Tuesday.
Robert Fountaine, 33, is accused of fatally stabbing his 68-year-neighbor inside Atlantic City's Inlet Tower on Feb. 10.
In May, Fountaine attacked his public defender inside Judge Patricia Wild's courtroom. He is now also charged with simple assault in that case.
Fountaine was calm as he appeared briefly in court Tuesday, dressed in the black-and-white stripes of those considered "high-profile inmates."
A psychiatric evaluation by the Anne Klein Forensic Center "recommends medical treatment for his illnesses," defense attorney Rob Johnson said he was told in a phone call just before the court appearance.
He was still awaiting the written report.
Johnson said in a previous court appearance that there would likely be three facilities he would be dealing with that have knowledge of his client's mental history, setting up a possible murder defense of diminished capacity or insanity.
The case was transferred to Superior Court Judge Rodney Cunningham, since the attack happened before Wild.
But Johnson said that — should Fountaine be found competent to stand trial — he would be making a motion to recuse "all sitting Atlantic County judges."
The next court appearance is set for Nov. 13.
