Anthony Lee Siple Jr, 22, is shown at his initial arraignment Nov. 21 via video link in Jackson County Circuit Court. Siple appeared virtually in court again Tuesday to plead not guilty to updated charges that include two counts of second-degree murder after the victim, Jessa Dayr Delyon, 51, died Dec. 5 from injuries sustained in the Nov. 18 attack.

A Medford man accused of beating a woman to death with a can of food last month in east Medford had not guilty pleas to two counts of murder entered by his attorney in Jackson County Circuit Court Tuesday.

A judge also ordered that Anthony Lee Siple Jr., 22, be sent to the Oregon State Hospital for evaluation based on a doctor’s report, which states that the man has a mental disorder and he currently cannot assist in his own legal defense. Siple is accused of killing Jessa Dayr Delyon, 51, on Nov. 18 with a can of Chef Boyardee ravioli.

According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Medford police at the time, Siple claimed the assault was in self-defense.

Siple was originally charged with attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault and first-degree robbery and booked into the Jackson County Jail Nov. 18 on $1 million bail. A Jackson County Circuit Court judge entered not guilty pleas for Siple, who did not have an attorney when he was arraigned on those charges.

Delyon was taken off life support and died Dec. 5, the Medford Police Department announced in a news release.

A Jackson County grand jury responded Dec. 12 by indicting Siple on updated charges of two counts of second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter and first-degree robbery. One second-degree murder count accuses Siple in Delyon’s death, while the other charge is based on accusations that Siple allegedly committed the murder in the course of a robbery.

Lisa Greif, Siple’s attorney, told the court Tuesday that her client was interviewed on Dec. 7 by Lauren Best with Salem-based Lithia Forensics and Consulting. Best determined Siple met criteria for “unspecified schizophrenia” and does not have the ability to understand the proceedings against him or work with his attorney, Greif said. Best recommended hospital-level care for competency and restoration services. She submitted her report to the court and to prosecutors Dec. 14, Greif said. 

Deputy District Attorney Wade Hilsher, standing in for the case’s actual prosecutor, Patrick Green, told the court Tuesday he agreed with the report’s findings.

Circuit Court Judge David Hoppe responded that he read Best’s report and concurred with its findings that Siple has a mental disorder, cannot proceed with his own defense at this time and should be sent to the state hospital for evaluation.

Siple, who appeared in court virtually from the Jackson County Jail, let Greif speak on his behalf. He made a praying motion while looking directly into the camera at the end of the hearing.

Greif suggested that Siple’s next court appearance not be for another 90 days because her client will be at the state hospital. Hoppe set the case’s next hearing for March 25.