A Norwich man accused of fatally stabbing his pregnant wife, Margarette Mady, on June 2 because he said he thought she was a voodoo priestess, will remain at a state psychiatric hospital at least two more months while clinicians attempt to restore him to competency.

Patrick Antoine, 40, has been at the Whiting Forensic Division of Connecticut Valley Hospital since August, when a clinical team that evaluated him at the Garner Correctional Institution determined he was unable to understand the court proceedings against him and to assist in his defense. He attempted to hang himself at the prison, appeared depressed and spent most of his time lying with his head covered by a blanket, according to a competency report written by Whiting social worker Robert O. Chase.

Antoine has been diagnosed as psychotic and prescribed antipsychotic medication and a mood stabilizer, according to the report.

Clinicians have been educating Antoine, a native of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, whose primary language is Haitian Creole, about the criminal court process, but they said he continues to experience auditory hallucinations and is not yet able to follow court testimony, testify on his own behalf and bring important information to the attention of his attorney. At their recommendation, New London Superior Court Judge Hillary B. Strackbein continued the case until Jan. 3 so the restoration attempts can continue.

According to the report, Mady had taken Antoine to The William W. Backus emergency room in February for a psychiatric evaluation because he believed things related to "the devil" were going on at home and somebody was poisoning his food. He was released a day later with a recommendation to follow up with his doctor.

On June 2, Antoine turned himself in to police and admitted he had stabbed Mady to death with a steak knife and lit the apartment on fire because he believed she planned to kill him as a sacrifice before her baby girl was to be born. He is charged with murder, first-degree arson and assault of a pregnant woman resulting in the termination of the pregnancy.

According to the report, Mady and Antoine met in Haiti and they were married there. Mady, an American citizen, sponsored him to become a permanent resident alien and he arrived in August 2013. He worked at both of the local casinos, setting up for banquets, washing dishes and in housekeeping. He and his wife were raising his 9-year-old nephew, who was placed in custody of the Department of Children and Families after the homicide.

During interviews at Whiting, he said that "only God" could help him with his legal case. Asked about the role of the prosecutor, he said, "The prosecutor is like a devil jabbing you with a fork."

Antoine is represented by New London's Chief Public Defender Kevin C. Barrs. Senior Assistant State's Attorney David J. Smith is prosecuting.

k.florin@theday.com