HAMILTON — Following a psychologist's recommendation, a Butler County judge Fridaydeclared Sophal Prom mentally incompetent to stand trial at this time on charges of killing a co-worker.

        The mental condition of Ms. Prom, whose trial was to begin in a month, had deteriorated because she has refused to take her medication, psychologist Dr. Charles Lee wrote in a report to Common Pleas Judge H.J. Bressler.

Sophal Prom

        Judge Bressler ruled her competent last December to stand trial. But, according to the psychiatric evaluation, she has refused since then to take her medication.

        Doctors have indicated that Ms. Prom's mental competence can be restored if she takes her medication, Judge Bressler said.

        The judge ordered her Friday to resume taking her medication, and he sent her to the Summit Behavioral Institute in Cincinnati for treatment.

        Dr. Lee will send another psychiatric evaluation of Ms. Prom to the judge before May 4. Judge Bressler will hold a hearing that day to determine whether Ms. Prom is mentally capable of standing trial.

        Ms. Prom, who has a long history of mental problems, has been held at the Butler County Jail since she was arrested in the Sept. 28 shooting of Darlene Adams, 42, of Newport. The shooting occurred at Prestige Display & Packaging in Fairfield, where both women worked.

        Prosecutors say that after arguing with Ms. Adams, Ms. Prom went home and returned with a gun. She fired 10 shots at Ms. Adams,they said.

        If convicted of aggravated murder, Ms. Prom could be sentenced to 20 years to life in prison with an additional mandatory three years for using a gun.

        Ms. Prom, a 34-year-old native of Cambodia, has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.

        In his evaluation, Dr. Lee called Ms. Prom “actively mentally ill,” and said that “she cannot presently assist in her own defense.”
       

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