CLINTON - The attorney for accused triple murderer Arthur Thomas Massey has asked for a psychiatric examination to determine his fitness for trial.

Massey, 37, is accused in the July 11 stabbing deaths of Katie Griffieth, her unborn child and Kendall Griffieth, 8. The 29-year-old pregnant mother knew Massey and family members said he had expressed a romantic interest in Griffieth. The victims were found with multiple knife wounds in their Hallsville home.

Massey, who is married and has two young daughters, is charged with six counts of first-degree murder and three counts of intentional homicide of an unborn child.

In a motion filed last week by Public Defender Richard Goff, the defense questions Massey's ability to understand the charges against him.

"There exists a bona fide doubt as to the defendant's being fit to stand trial in that because of his mental condition he is unable to understand the nature and purpose of the proceedings against him and he is unable to assist in his defense," according to the defense motion.

Goff said Monday that he expects Massey to undergo psychiatric testing within the next two weeks. An arraignment on the charges will be held after that examination, he said.

In support of his request for the examination, Goff said, "After meeting with the defendant it is my opinion as his counsel that the defendant is suffering from an unknown mental condition." The testing is sought "to determine whether he (Massey) is sane and fit to stand trial."

In court documents previously filed by Massey, he stated he receives monthly income of about $1,000 for an undisclosed disability. Goff declined to discuss Massey's medical conditions.

In another recent development in the murder case, DeWitt County State's Attorney Jerry Johnson filed a motion to allow DNA testing to move forward of evidence collected from Massey's 1995 Mercury Cougar. Four unspecified items were sent to the state crime lab in Morton for testing.

In addition to the murder counts, Massey also faces a charge of possession of a weapon by a felon. He was arrested the day after the Hallsville stabbings on the weapons charge. He was free on $2,500 cash bond when he was arrested July 20.

Massey is being held in the DeWitt County jail on $5 million bond.

Edith Brady-Lunny can be reached at eblunny@mchsi.com.