Casey Rhyn Potter/DNSO

Criminal proceedings against a 40-year-old man accused of killing his parents have been suspended after his attorney questioned mental capacity to assist in his own defense.

Casey Rhyn Potter allegedly referred to his parents as clones and trespassers, Crescent City attorney Keith Morris told Del Norte Superior Court Judge Robert Cochran during a bail review hearing Thursday.

Morris said he was reviewing the evidence in the case with his client when Potter made these statements. Morris said this led him to doubt Potter’s mental competence to proceed in the criminal case against him.

Potter is accused of killing 77-year-old Brian Gilbert Potter and 71-year-old Sherrie Lynn Potter, both of Crescent City. Potter has been charged with two counts of murder each with a special allegation for use of a firearm in connection with his parents’ deaths.

The bodies of Brian Gilbert Potter and Sherrie Lynn Potter were discovered at a home on Lesina Road north of Crescent City on Feb. 16. That evening Del Norte County Sheriff’s deputies named Potter a person of interest.

The following day deputies, with help from the Crescent City Police Department, arrested Casey Pottery at a bus stop at Front Street and U.S. 101. Potter was allegedly found in possession of a loaded gun at the time of his arrest, according to DNSO.

On Thursday, Morris requested Potter be examined by psychologist Michael Ramirez.

Following his examination, Ramirez will write a report on Potter’s mental competence and submit it to the court, Del Norte County Deputy District Attorney Todd Zocchi told the Wild Rivers Outpost.

The question of whether Potter is mentally competent to assist in his own defense will be taken up in court again at 1:10 p.m. March 19.

Potter continues to be housed at the Del Norte County Jail where is bail is set at $1 million.

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