STROUDSBURG -- Is alleged Ross Township shooter Rockne Newell competent to stand trial for murder?
That was the reason for a hearing Friday in Monroe County court.
Now it's up to a judge to decide whether Newell needs mental help.
"Your honor, I'm hungry."
Those were the first words we heard from a thinner and frail-looking Rockne Newell of Ross Township in more than a year.
His attorneys are trying to convince a judge that he isn't competent to stand trial for the three homicide charges he faces.
In August 2013, Newell allegedly opened fire on a Ross Township Supervisors meeting over a bitter property dispute with the township.
Newell's defense team says they haven't been able to get him to cooperate over a series of 40 to 50 visits.
"It's not that we can't deal with him. We think that he's not competent to communicate with us, and to assist us," said defense attorney William Ruzzo.
Newell spoke out of turn in court complaining about the food in the Monroe County jail. He appeared to sleep through most of his hearing at the courthouse, but he has cooperated somewhat with doctors and other experts working on his case. He told them he went to sell his guns the day of the deadly shootings, but when the buyer didn't show, he passed by the municipal building on his way home, saw a meeting was going on, and admits to opening fire.
Newell's lawyers say they haven't been able to get Newell to talk with them in detail about that shooting.
"It's not difficult going in and saying hello to Rockne, but it's difficult keeping him on course and on track. It's very difficult," said defense attorney Michael Weinstein.
Records revealed Newell was diagnosed with schizophrenia by the Army, and had been in and out of a mental hospital in Florida over a 10-year period in the 1960s and 1970s.
The victims' families and several township employees showed up for the hearing looking for answers.
Newell's defense team hopes the judge will rule in their favor so Newell can eventually stand trial.
"He'll be transferred to a state hospital and he'll be treated appropriately for the condition that either they diagnose or you heard today in court," Weinstein said.
The judge is expected to decide whether or not Newell is competent to stand trial within the next few weeks.