Riverside, CA: Hearing halted as defendant flings urine

RIVERSIDE, CA: A former marine charged in a 2008 California killing will undergo a mental evaluation after a courtroom outburst during which he flung urine, authorities said.

A judge suspended criminal proceedings Tuesday against Kesaun Sykes, who used the nickname "Psycho," until he can be evaluated by psychiatrists, The (Riverside, Calif.) Press-Enterprise reported.

During a pre-trial hearing Friday Sykes, dressed in jail clothing and in shackles, stood up and began urinating, flinging urine around the courtroom using his hands, Riverside County sheriff's Sgt. Joe Borja said.

Sykes and three other former Marines -- Emrys John, 21, Tyrone Miller, 23 and Kevin Cox, 23 -- are each charged with two counts of murder and other felonies in the slaying of Marine Sgt. Jan Pietrzak, 24, and his wife Quiana Jenkins-Pietrzak, 26, who were found bound and shot in their Riverside County home.

Jenkins-Pietrzak had been sexually assaulted, prosecutors say.

All four defendants have pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors say they will seek the death penalty.