Court proceedings suspended in I-80 rest stop shooting

The court proceedings against a Nebraska man accused of killing a maintenance worker at an Interstate 80 rest stop will be suspended until further psychological testing is done and a competency hearing is conducted.

Peter Riggs, 32, of Columbus, Neb., suffers from schizoaffective disorder, Peter Persaud, Riggs' attorney said Monday during a hearing in Iowa County District Court. Persaud asked the judge to suspend the proceedings against Riggs until the testing is completed.

Schizoaffective disorder is a condition in which a person experiences a combination of schizophrenia symptoms, such as hallucinations or delusions, and of mood disorder symptoms, such as mania or depression, according to MayoClinic.com

Sixth Judicial District Judge Nancy Baumgartner ordered further testing to be conducted on Riggs and that the trial set for Dec. 14 be reset. No date was reset at this time.

Persaud said in his filed motion last week the evaluation of Riggs' previously conducted raises concerns as to whether Riggs can effectively assist in his defense.

Riggs, charged with first-degree murder, previously wrote three letters to the court confessing to killing Jeffrey McAdam, 46, of Victor, May 29. McAdam was shot in the men's restroom while working at the Victor rest stop.

In the letters, Riggs said he hated McAdam. He also told the court he wanted to plead guilty to the crime and fire his attorney.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• Nov. 23 --
• Oct. 15 --

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• Nov. 23 -- Attorney says man accused of I-80 killing is incompetent to stand trial
• Oct. 15 -- Man accused in I-80 rest stop shooting confesses in letter to court