Messina Hears Additional Charges; No Results Back from Fitness Exam

Clark County murder suspect Thomas Messina heard about four additional charges he faces Wednesday, in addition to three counts of first degree murder.

The 20-year-old Messina is charged with murder in the January death of Gregory Scott Collins, whose body was found while firefighters were fighting a blaze in his home in Casey.

Since then, prosecutors have filed counts of aggravated arson, residential arson, unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, and aggravated cruelty to animals. Messina made his initial appearance on those counts Wednesday during a status hearing on the murder counts.

Earlier, Messina's attorney William McGrath had asked that his client be examined as to whether a more appropriate plea in his case should be guilty but mentally ill, or not guilty by reason of insanity. During Wednesday's hearing, it was learned that Dr. Jerry Boyd's findings on Messina are not yet complete.

McGrath then asked that Messina's October 14 trial date be waived, but the motion was denied for now. Instead, a further pre-trial hearing was set for 9am on September 29 to see whether the report is available and then decide how to proceed.

Messina remains in custody in Clark County Jail.