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| Taul to undergo mental evaluation |
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7/20/2017
By Tom Marshall
Senior Advocate writer
A circuit judge has ordered that murder suspect James Franklin “Big James” Taul undergo a mental evaluation at the Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center in LaGrange.
Montgomery County Circuit Judge Beth Maze ordered that “appearing that there is reason to question the defendant’s mental capacity (criminal responsbility) at the time of the offense and to believe the defendant is not mentally capable of understanding the charges against him (competency) or aiding his counsel in the defense of said case” he undergo the evaluation.
The order, dated July 11, states that Taul be taken to KCPC “for treatment and examination, including forced medication and any restraint which may be necessary to affect such treatment.”
He is to be held there for up to 60 days “so that a psychologist or psychiatrist can examine, treat, medicate, test and report on the defendant’s mental condition.”
A report on the findings are to be presented to the judge, Commonwealth Attorney Ronnie Goldy and Taul’s attorney, public defender Breanna Listermann.
All court proceedings are placed on hold until the evaluation is complete.
Taul, 53, has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge, as well as possession of a handgun by a convicted felon and persistent felony offender, first-degree.
Authorities allege that Taul shot Victor Wilson to death May 5 during a dispute outside a Locust Street bar. They had reportedly been arguing over a woman.
In a police interview, Taul claimed that there was a “hit” out on his life over an alleged drug debt. Police have been unable to confirm that.
Taul is being held in lieu of a $1 million cash bond.
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