A New London man accused of fatally stabbing Delma Murphy in November has continued to exhibit psychotic behavior in prison and has been sent to the Whiting Forensic Institute for 60 days so that clinicians can attempt to restore him to competency to stand trial.

Superior Court Judge Hillary B. Strackbein on Friday ordered that David McKeever, 48, be sent to the state hospital for the criminally insane for 60 days.

Earlier this week, a team of clinicians from the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services submitted a report to the court indicating McKeever remained unresponsive with clinicians attempting to evaluate him and with his court-appointed attorneys.

McKeever has a previous diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder, a major mental illness, and apparently had not taken his medication since April 2015, according to a report submitted to the court by Jo-Ann Holmes, director of the DMHAS Norwich Office of Forensic Evaluations.

During a meeting with the clinical team, McKeever did not speak and stared downward with a fixed frown on his face, according to the report.

“After a few minutes of attempted verbal engagement, his breathing became deeper, with abdominal motions visible,” the report says. “He then started to pick at his chin hair and his facial skin and placed bits in his mouth.”

McKeever is charged with murdering Murphy, his long-time girlfriend, at their home at 53 Cole St. on Nov. 18.

A friend who had not seen Murphy for several days went to the home and found her “cold to the touch” in her bed. The friend called 911, and first responders found blood on the wall leading to the second-floor bedroom and the steps.

They found a large, blood-stained knife on the floor at the top of the stairs. Police said Murphy had suffered multiple stab wounds about her body and had what appeared to be defensive wounds on her hands.

McKeever admitted he had killed Murphy, according to the report.

McKeever has been held at the Garner Correctional Institute, the state prison that specializes in treating mentally ill inmates.

Staff at Garner reported to the evaluation team that Mckeever is “acutely psychotic.”

Department of Correction officials said McKeever has been held on the inpatient medical unit and is unresponsive, though he is eating and drinking fluids.

A team of officers had to physically extract him from his cell for a health checkup and shower, according to the report.

He will return to court in two months, when the judge will determine whether he is capable of understanding the court proceedings and assisting in his defense.

k.florin@theday.com

Twitter: @KFLORIN