HAMILTON — The mental condition of a woman accused of killing her co-worker at a Fairfield business has emerged as a major issue.

        Sophal Prom, who has a history of depression, has entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity.

Sophal Prom

        Her attorneys also have filed a motion asking the court to declare her incompetent to stand trial.

        On Friday, Butler County Common Pleas Judge H.J. Bressler ordered a psychological evaluation of Ms. Prom. He will have the report by a Dec. 1 hearing on the incompetency motion and other legal issues.

        Ms. Prom, 34, is charged with aggravated murder. If convicted, she would receive a sentence of 20 years to life in prison, with an additional mandatory three years for using a gun.

        Prosecutors say Ms. Prom shot Darlene Adams more than 10 times at Prestige Display & Packaging in Fairfield, where both women worked.

        After arguing with Ms. Adams on Sept. 28 , Ms. Prom went home and re turned to the business with a gun, they said. She emptied the gun and reloaded it twice during the shooting. Ms. Adams, 42, lived in Newport.

        Ms. Prom is a naturalized U.S. citizen who emigrated from Cambodia more than 15 years ago.

        One of her attorneys, Brian Goodyear, declined to elaborate about Ms. Prom's current mental condition.

        “It's still early in the case,” he said. “We're getting all her medical records and will be investigating all the different avenues.”

        Depending on the results of the court-ordered psychological evaluation, Ms. Prom's attorneys might initiate an independent evaluation.

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