SAN DIEGO -- A man accused of killing a San Diego police officer is unable to assist in his defense because he believes one of his lawyers is getting advice from the devil, the attorney told a judge Monday.

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Attorney Richard Gates said his client, Kevin Gerard Williams, 39, is retarded, psychotic and lives in a fantasy world where he hears voices and is preoccupied with "monsters."

Gates said Williams has been committing crimes since he was 8.

"No one has ever been able to make any improvement in his condition," Gates told Superior Court Judge William Mudd. "No one has ever been able to handle his combination of mental illness and mental retardation."

But Deputy District Attorney David Hendren told Williams he has a history of "malingering" and lying about his "craziness," and should be found competent to stand trial for the June 26, 2003, murder of motorcycle officer Terry Bennett.

Hendren said Williams has a 30-year criminal history and a personality disorder.

A number of doctors documented that Williams has exaggerated his symptoms over the years in order to get what he wants, the prosecutor said.

In one report from 1979, a doctor wrote that Williams told him he had "learned how to act crazy."

"He's using his mental illness to get what he wants in prison," Hendren told the judge. "He's been manipulating his symptoms to get what he wants for quite some time."

A year ago, Williams was found incompetent to face trial and was sent to Patton State Hospital in San Bernardino County. After a short stay, doctors found that his mental condition had improved and he was returned to San Diego.

Hendren said four independent experts will testify that Williams is competent to understand the charges against him and assist in his defense.

Gates said reports on Williams dating back to when he was 7 are "both a blessing and a curse."

Williams -- whose mental capacity is estimated at that of a 12-year-old -- had problems growing up that were exacerbated by homelessness and drug use when he became an adult, Gates said.

One teacher at a school for troubled youth said Williams was "the most difficult child she'd ever seen," the attorney told the judge.

"Mr. Williams views things through the eyes of a boy, not a man," Gates said.

He said Williams sees the prosecutor as Darth Vader from Star Wars and the judge as Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Gates is seen by Williams as the devil, not Luke Skywalker, the attorney said.

"How can he trust counsel if he thinks counsel is getting advice from the devil?" Gates wondered.

Williams is charged with murder, auto theft, evading police with reckless driving and hit-and-run.

The day of the fatal crash, Bennett started chasing Williams in Encanto, authorities said. The stolen GMC flatbed truck Williams was driving contained stolen tools and a generator, police said.

Williams made a hard U-turn about 12:30 p.m. and used the stolen truck as a battering ram to crush the officer into a fence, Hendren said.

Williams could face the death penalty if the charges are reinstated, he is convicted and District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis elects to pursue his execution.