ROME — A suppression hearing has been set in Oneida County Court for a Rome man accused of killing his parents.

Kyle J. Kirk, 30, of Rome, appeared briefly before Judge Michael L. Dwyer Tuesday morning on two counts of first-degree murder, a class A-1 felony. Kirk, who had been undergoing mental health treatment following the deaths, was ruled mentally fit to return to court in July.

Judge Dwyer set an Oct. 31 date for a suppression hearing, to examine statements that Kirk made to law enforcement to determine if they can be used at a potential trial.

State police said Kirk stabbed his father, 60-year-old Howard J. Kirk III, and his mother, 53-year-old Amanda L. Osborne, to death at the residence they all shared at 5959 Old Oneida Road in the outer district of Rome on the morning of Oct. 18. Troopers said Kirk was spotted outside his home covered in blood, leading neighbors to call 911 shortly before noon.

Public Defender David A. Cooke is pursuing possible mental health defenses for trial. Judge Bauer adjourned the case to Sept. 27 for a status report on those possible defenses.