Murder Defendant Overton Rushed to Hospital : Trial: The 64-year-old man accused of poisoning his wife with cyanide complained in court of chest pain, dizziness.

SANTA ANA —  Richard K. Overton, the Dana Point man accused of poisoning his wife with cyanide, was rushed out of court Thursday and hospitalized after complaining of chest pains and dizziness.

The 64-year-old murder defendant was carted from an Orange County Superior courtroom on a gurney at 2:05 p.m. and transported to Western Medical Center-Santa Ana after suffering apparent heart problems.

He was listed in stable condition in the hospital’s cardiac care unit. A hospital spokesman said that doctors had not determined whether Overton suffered a heart attack.

Overton’s sudden illness will almost assuredly delay the 7-week-old trial for at least a month and raises the specter of a mistrial if the judge is unable to maintain a panel of jurors, several of whom have conflicting work and vacation schedules in the coming weeks and months.

Overton’s attack occurred out of the presence of the jury and during a closed hearing between Judge David O. Carter and the defense on a matter that was not divulged to the prosecution or public.

Neither Deputy Dist. Atty. Christopher J. Evans nor defense attorney Robert D. Chatterton would comment on Overton’s illness or the prospects of a delay in the trial.

The part-time college professor and computer consultant is currently on trial on charges of killing his wife, Janet L. Overton, 46, with cyanide on Jan. 24, 1988. Before Thursday’s closed-door hearing, Overton had undergone a grueling two-day cross-examination on the witness stand.

Overton complained of chest pain shortly after 1:30 p.m. He was taken to a vacant jury room to rest while paramedics were called. According to family members, Overton has a history of heart problems and is currently taking heart medication.

Paramedics treated Overton at the scene for about 15 minutes before deciding to take him to the hospital for evaluation. As he was rolled out of the courtroom, Overton was conscious but breathing through an oxygen mask and hooked up to a heart monitor.

After Overton was taken to the hospital, Judge Carter told the attorneys that they may have to resume the trial in September or possibly October because of scheduling problems among the jurors and expert witnesses. Many expert witnesses need to be flown into the county from different places throughout the nation.

“It’s the only option if you want to keep the case alive,” Carter told the attorneys. “That’s the reality.”