A man charged with murder after allegedly stabbing his friend 51 times because he heard voices in his head has once again been found mentally incompetent to stand trial.

Phillip Joseph Simmons, 37, has been receiving treatment at the Utah State Hospital. He currently is charged with murder, a first-degree felony, for the Jan. 20, 2008, stabbing death of Suzanne Fry, 57, in her Bountiful apartment. Fry had apparently permitted Simmons to stay at her apartment out of friendship. Police said the two quarreled about food and Simmons repeatedly stabbed Fry with a steak knife.

Neighbors called 911 after hearing noises coming from the apartment, and police found Fry dead. Simmons told police that during the argument the word "murder" came into his mind, he blacked out and when he awoke later, Fry was on the floor in a pool of blood. Police also found considerable damage to the residence including holes punched in walls, an overturned china hutch and broken mirrors and windows.

Simmons previously was found incompetent for trial, and on June 30 the state hospital provided a letter to 2nd District Judge Rodney Page saying Simmons remains mentally incompetent.

— Linda Thomson