FAYETTEVILLE -- A man charged with capital murder in his father's death filed notice in Washington County Circuit Court he will pursue a defense of mental disease or defect.
Sam Hill, 26, of 1693 S. Morningside Drive in Fayetteville was arrested after police said he shot his father, Allen Hill, 61, of 12397 S. Whitehouse Road, near Elkins, on Aug. 20.
Trial is set for March 16 before Circuit Judge Mark Lindsay. The requested mental examination will likely force a delay. Hill is being held at the Washington County Jail without bond, which is typical in capital murder cases.
Hill pleaded not guilty to attempted capital murder and aggravated assault on a family or household member.
If convicted of capital murder, Hill faces life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty. Prosecutors haven't determined if they will seek the death penalty.
Allen Hill was shot multiple times in the chest, according to Kelly Cantrell, spokeswoman for the Washington County Sheriff 's Office. He was taken by helicopter to Washington Regional Medical Center where he died as a result of his injuries.
Roberta Hill told police her son, Sam Hill, shot her husband during an argument at their home.
Sam Hill fled the scene of the shooting and was arrested about an hour later at his home by Fayetteville police. He was taken to Washington Regional Medical Center for treatment of a gunshot wound to his hip he received in the altercation with his father, according to an arrest report.
The aggravated assault charge stems from an altercation between Sam Hill and his wife, Sidney, at their home about an hour before the shooting.
NW News on 02/21/2015