Mental evaluation ordered for accused killer

YOUNGSTOWN — A preliminary hearing for the mentally ill man accused of choking to death another resident of Illinois Manor did not go forward today in municipal court based on a request for a competency evaluation.

Boardman attorney Ronald Knickerbocker told the judge that James R. DiCioccio “definitely” needs to be evaluated.

Judge Robert A. Douglas Jr. granted the request for an evaluation and set a status hearing for April 24.

DiCioccio, 49, is charged with murder and remains in jail in lieu of $1 million bond. He is accused of choking 34-year-old Stephen A. Lawson during a fight March 11 at the group home for mentally ill men at 135 Illinois Ave. Lawson died shortly after at St. Elizabeth Health Center.

DiCioccio has an unrelated assault case pending at municipal court that is also delayed pending a competency exam. In that case, DiCioccio is accused of punching and choking another resident of Illinois Manor.