New competency hearings began today for convicted Connecticut serial killer Michael Ross. Last month, he was granted a stay of execution after the issue arose of whether death row-itis had affected his decision to waive his appeals and ask for death.

Dr. Michael Norko, state psychiatrist today said nothing had changed his opinion that Ross is competent since the last time he testified.

Judge Patrick Clifford said this hearing will determine two things; if Ross suffers a metal disease or defect and if it affects his ability to make the decision to die...State psychiatrist Dr. Mike Norko, the man who conducted the now famous jailhouse interview and who testified in December that Ross was competent to make his own decisions, said that after looking at the new evidence and interviewing Ross again his decision was still the same.

Background is here. The Connectiut Law Blog (formerly named Kirby's blog) and A Public Defender are following the hearings. (The photo on Public Defender's site is not of a public defender but of Gideon of Gideon v. Wainwright fame, the case that mandated effective assistance of counsel for everyone facing imprisonment)