Today was the day John Patrick Fields was due to appear in court to answer charges of first-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder. Fields was charged in the March 12 slayings of 47-year-old Lowell “Chip” Simmons II and 23-year-old Makayla Laray Manning and the wounding of 42-year-old Eleashea Alene Curry and 39-year-old Joseph Manning.

However, Attorney Philip Hatch from the District Attorney’s Office told 1057 News in the courtroom this morning Fields’ defense attorney has filed a motion to have a mental-health evaluation of his client conducted. Hatch further said the soonest Fields would likely appear in court would be five weeks from today, May 23, provided the evaluation is completed by that time.