Mental Evaluation Ordered for Du Pont Heir in Slaying

A state court judge Friday ordered an evaluation of John E. du Pont to determine whether the chemical fortune heir was mentally competent to stand trial in the murder of Olympic wrestling champion David Schultz.

The action followed a preliminary court hearing in which Du Pont was ordered held for trial and Shultz’s widow tearfully testified that she saw the millionaire kill her husband.

At the hearing, Du Pont said through his lawyers that he did not understand the judge’s remarks to him, and he declined to sign a subpoena compelling his presence at an arraignment set for March 21.

“My client advises me that he is not understanding of what you said,” defense attorney Richard Sprague said after District Judge David Videon read a list of charges ranging from first-degree murder to possessing instruments of crime.

Although it is increasingly clear that Du Pont’s mental state is becoming a cornerstone of defense strategy, his lawyers have not yet declared it.

On Wednesday, Du Pont underwent a six-hour neurological examination requested by his attorneys.

Friends and family of Du Pont, a great-great grandson of chemical magnate E.I. du Pont, have--since the murder--described numerous instances in which he displayed bizarre behavior, such as sensing irrational threats and hallucinations of ghosts.

Wearing a blue, hooded sweatshirt and loose green pants, Du Pont showed little emotion as Sprague addressed the court.

The competency-evaluation order was signed by Court of Common Pleas Judge Patricia Jenkins, the trial judge in the case.

Nancy Schultz, widow of the 1984 Olympic gold medalist, was the only witness presented by prosecutor Joseph McGettigan at the preliminary hearing. The only other evidence introduced was a coroner’s report indicating that Schultz had died of three gunshot wounds in a homicide.

“I saw him drop his hand and shoot David in the back,” said Nancy Schultz, who was overcome by emotion when testifying.

She said she knew of no reason why Du Pont might have wanted to kill her husband.

The Schultzes lived on Du Pont’s 800-acre estate, and David Schultz worked as a coach at a training facility Du Pont built there. Du Pont, 57, was arrested at his estate Jan. 28 after a 48-hour standoff with police.