Suspect in Greystone killing agrees to remain in custody

Murder suspect Rashid Davis in Superior Court, Morristown, Jan. 8, 2020. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
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A man accused of fatally stabbing a fellow patient with an exacto knife on New Year’s Eve at Greystone State Psychiatric Hospital waived his right to a detention hearing on Wednesday.

Rashid A. Davis, 28, agreed to remain in custody to await his murder trial.

Standing, in handcuffs attached to a leather belt, Davis quietly answered no when Superior Court Judge David Ironson asked if he “suffered from any type of physical or mental impairment” that could affect his judgment or understanding of the proceedings, in the Morris County Courthouse in Morristown.

Video: Greystone murder suspect agrees to remain in custody.

Davis also answered no when asked if he was under any medication that might affect his judgment. He appeared calm, glancing downward and showing little emotion as Morris County Sheriff’s Officers led him in and out of the courtroom for the short appearance.

Superior Court Judge David Ironson, Jan. 8, 2020. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

According to a complaint filed by authorities, Davis told hospital staffers he had done something bad and they should call police on the afternoon of Dec. 31, 2019.

The victim, whose identity has not been released, was found in Davis’ blood-spattered room, lying in a pool of blood.

Stabbed repeatedly in the neck and upper body, the Greystone patient was pronounced dead at the scene.  The 504-bed hospital straddles the border of Morris Plains and Parsippany.

Murder suspect Rashid Davis, left, Deputy Public Defender Tom Belski, a Sherriff’s Officer, and Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Chris Schellhorn in Superior Court, Jan. 8, 2020. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

Authorities on Wednesday did not disclose where Davis is being held.

Davis was charged with murdering an 83-year-old Newark man in 2014, but later was found not guilty by reason of insanity, according to news reports.

Deputy Public Defender Tom Belsky represented Davis on Wednesday. Morris County Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Chris Schellhorn was there for the state.  Davis is due back in court on Feb. 3, 2020.

Homicide suspect Rashid Davis, left, and Deputy Public Defender Tom Belsky in Superior Court, Morristown, Jan. 8, 2020. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Murder suspect Rashid Davis in handcuffs, beside his public defender, Jan. 8, 2020. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

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