A man accused of killing his exterminator has been ordered to undergo psychic evaluations at a state hospital.

The Manhattan Mercury reports 49-year-old Howard Barrett was ordered to undergo a competency evaluation at a hearing this morning.

Barrett is accused of stabbing to death 48-year-old Thomas James while James was reportedly in Barrett's Leonardville apartment spraying for pests February 14th.

Barrett's attorney says the man appears to suffer from one or more mental disorders.

The Mercury also reports that Barrett was discharged from a state hospital in June of 2003 after facing an attempted first-degree murder charge in Geary County.