PORTLAND (AP) – A Cumberland County Jail inmate has undergone medical and psychological examinations after going on a hunger strike following his arrest May 14 on a murder charge.

Gregory Erskine, 50, who is accused of beating his girlfriend Lisa Deprez to death in Portland, has taken some water, juice and ice since his arrest, but has not eaten any food, officials said. Deprez, 42, died May 17.

Cumberland County Sheriff Mark Dion said Erskine has been despondent since his arrest and jail authorities have kept him on a suicide watch. He was transferred to the jail infirmary, and on Monday was taken to Maine Medical Center for emergency care.

Erskine appeared to be entering a coma and showing signs of renal failure, Dion said.

He was examined by medical staff and a psychiatrist at Maine Medical in Portland and was returned to the jail. Also on Tuesday, county officials sought authority to do more than observe Erskine.

Superior Court Justice G. Arthur Brennan, who met with Dion, Erskine’s lawyer and prosecutors, ordered that Erskine be transferred from the jail to the Augusta Mental Health Institute for evaluation of his mental competence.

During the evaluation, he will be committed to the Department of Behavioral and Developmental Services and could receive treatment.

Medical treatment can be forced on an AMHI patient who is in imminent danger during the evaluation process, said Dr. William Nelson, AMHI’s medical director. Hospital officials could make an emergency petition to the probate court to be named the patient’s guardian, and make medical decisions on his behalf.

Erskine could be force fed if he is found to be mentally incompetent, said Dr. Ann LeBlanc, director of the State Forensic Service.

, who will supervise his evaluation.

AP-ES-05-26-04 0216EDT