Serial killer suspect Jeremy Jones pleads not guilty in Alabama

<p>Suspected serial killer Jeremy Bryan Jones pleaded not guilty Tuesday and blurted out "I ain't crazy" as a judge ordered him to undergo psychiatric testing before his capital murder trial in the death of a Mobile County woman.</p><p>Mobile County Circuit Judge Charles A. Graddick, who set the trial for Aug. 15, cautioned Jones at his arraignment against making any further comment without his attorney's permission.</p><p>Court-appointed defense attorney Habib Yazdi reached to put his hand over Jones' mouth to prevent him from speaking. A handcuffed Jones, following his "I ain't crazy" outburst, briefly was removed from the courtroom and said nothing else when he returned.</p><p>"He's excited. He's afraid. He's scared," Yazdi said after the hearing. "We tried to stop him from talking further because he may damage his case."</p><p>Jones, 32, is charged in the Sept. 18 murder of Lisa Marie Nichols, 45, of Turnerville. The indictment says Nichols was sexually assaulted and shot to death in her mobile home, which was set afire.</p><p>The investigation of her killing led to two murder charges against Jones in Louisiana and Georgia. He is viewed by authorities as a suspect but not charged in other killings as well.</p><p>Graddick appointed veteran attorney Greg Hughes to assist Yazdi with Jones' defense.</p><p>Hughes told the judge that he expects the plea will change to not guilty by reason of insanity in motions due within a month.</p><p>If convicted of capital murder, Jones, a fugitive from sex charges in Oklahoma at the time of the Alabama slaying, could be sentenced to death or life in prison without parole.</p><p>Attorneys for the state attorney general's office requested that Jones be sent for mental testing at the Taylor Hardin Secure Medical Facility in Tuscaloosa. Graddick ordered his immediate transfer from Mobile Metro Jail, where Jones has been held since his arrest in September.</p><p>It's unclear how long Jones will be at the state prison in Tuscaloosa. Barring unexpected results, Chief Assistant Attorney General Don Valeska said the prosecution will be ready for trial Aug. 15.</p><p>Nichols' two daughters attended the arraignment.</p><p>Jones also is charged with murder in the death of Amanda Greenwell, a 16-year-old neighbor in Douglasville, Ga., whose remains were found in April 2004, and Katherine Collins, a 45-year-old New Orleans woman whose body was found in February 2004.</p><p>Graddick also granted a defense motion for a separate psychiatric evaluation of Jones, but it was unclear when or where that would take place.</p>