Utah man says he shot neighbor who "telepathically raped" his wife; ruled fit for trial

(CBS/KXNT) CENTERVILLE, Utah - A Utah man has been declared competent to stand trial despite doubts surrounding his mental health, after he told police he shot his neighbor for "telepathically raping" his wife.

Michael Selleneit, 54, is charged with attempted murder and illegal possession of a firearm, CBS Las Vegas reports.

Police say the 34-year-old Centerville man shot neighbor Tony Pierce, 41, last October while he worked in his yard.

According to the Salt Lake City Tribune, Selleneit told police he was acting in self-defense and that Pierce "telepathically raped" his wife on numerous occasions. Selleneit said Pierce had also mentally threatened him.

Court documents obtained by the Salt Lake Tribune stated that Selleneit has been diagnosed with what was referred to as an "organic brain disorder with a labile affect, periodic delusional thought process, poor judgment [and] poor impulse control," possibly attributed to a head injury sustained in a car crash during his formative years.

Selleneit's defense attorney says his client should be committed to Utah State Hospital, rather than sent to prison.

"[He said that] Eddie Van Halen comes into his mind and helps him occasionally," Julie George told the Tribune. "Those are about as bizarre as I think a delusion can get."

However, two out of the three doctors evaluating Selleneit on behalf of the court found him fit for trial.