Murder Defendant Found Incompetent

A 67-year-old retired real estate agent accused of the ax murder of his wife has been committed to a state mental hospital because he was found mentally incompetent to stand trial.

Stanley Stress was committed for an indefinite term by San Diego Superior Court Judge David Gill on Tuesday after a new psychiatric evaluation.

Stress was to have faced a June 23 murder trial in the Nov. 4 slaying of his wife, Phyllis, in their Point Loma home.

Another judge ordered criminal proceedings against Stress suspended several weeks ago after she suspected that he was not able to cooperate with his attorney, Deputy Dist. Atty. Bill Woodward said on Wednesday.

During the Vietnam War, Stress appeared preoccupied with athletes who avoided the military draft. He staged protests by picketing and by writing letters and making phone calls to newspapers.

After he receives treatment and medication at Patton State Hospital, Stress could be returned to San Diego for trial when or if officials there determine that he has regained his mental competency.