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MARIANNA, Ark.—The capital murder trial for the man accused of killing his mother-in-law and her parents has been delayed to await results of a psychiatric evaluation.

Jury selection was scheduled to begin Monday for the murder trial of Gordon Gwathney, whose attorney indicated they’ll use an insanity defense.

“The way that the statute regarding mental defect is worded, once that defense has been brought forth, the proceedings are basically in a state of suspension until a report has been received from the state,” prosecutor Fletcher Long said.

Gwathney is accused of killing his mother-in-law, Sylvia Reeves, 51, at her home on Arkansas 261 in Lee County, and her parents J.O. Mitchell, 81, and Evelyn Mitchell, 79, on Feb. 13, 2006. He is also charged with attempted murder of his brother-in-law Travis Reeves and St. Francis County Deputy Tracy Jackson, who responded to a report of the shootings. Gwathney has undergone mental evaluations and has been declared competent to stand trial, according to court records.