Attorney says man accused of I-80 killing is incompetent to stand trial

The Nebraska man accused of killing a maintenance worker at an I-80 rest stop in May suffers from a mental disorder and is incompetent to stand trial, his attorney said in a motion filed this week.

Johnson County Public Defender Peter Persaud filed a motion Monday in Iowa County District Court, asking the judge for hearing to declare Peter Riggs, 32, of Columbus, Neb., incompetent to stand trial based on a competency evaluation previously conducted.

Persaud said in the motion that the evaluation raises concerns as to whether Riggs can effectively assist in his defense and that further testing is needed.

The motion doesn't state the mental disorder Riggs suffers, only that it would prevent him from appreciating the charge, understanding the proceedings and assisting in his defense.

The motion will be addressed during the 10 a.m. Nov. 29, pre-trial conference that was previously set.

Riggs, charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of Jeffrey McAdam, 46, of Victor, has written three letters to the court confessing to the slaying. Riggs in the letters said he hated McAdam. He also told the court he wanted to plead guilty to the crime and fire his attorney.

McAdam was shot in the men's restroom, while working at the Victor rest stop May 29. There has been no information released that the men knew each other.

The trial is set Dec. 14.