TEXARKANA -- A senior citizen accused of capital murder in the death of a fellow Texarkana square dancer appeared in court this week for the first time in more than a year.
Virginia Ann Hyatt, 67, has been in custody since the day after Patricia "Patti" Wheelington, 59, was found shot to death on the front porch of her house in Texarkana on Dec. 3, 2013.
Not long after Hyatt entered an innocent plea in July 2014, Hyatt's lawyers, Damon Young, John Pickett and Bruce Condit, asked the court to order a mental evaluation.
A local psychologist recommended Hyatt undergo further observation at the State Hospital, which she did.
"I understand an order of fitness has been entered," Circuit Judge Randy Wright said in a pretrial hearing Monday.
Hyatt waved and smiled at a group of about eight supporters shortly before Wright took the bench in a second-floor courtroom of the Miller County Courthouse in downtown Texarkana.
As Wright left the bench, Hyatt mouthed the words, "I thank you for coming."
Wright, who serves a nearby judicial district, is sitting by special appointment on the case because Miller County's other judges previously recused themselves.
Hyatt and Wheelington were both members of the Guys and Dolls Square Dancing Club, and authorities have said Hyatt believed Wheelington was responsible for the end of her 40-year marriage.
Investigators said Wheelington was drinking her morning coffee when she was attacked on her front porch. Wheelington was shot multiple times as she apparently tried to reach the front door of her home in the 7200 block of Valley Street in Texarkana, according to search warrant affidavits.
Wheelington was wearing a robe and still held a cigarette between fingers on her right hand when her body was discovered.
Investigators noticed bullet holes in windows and the front door of the home and collected spent rounds of ammunition from Wheelington's porch.
State Desk on 07/24/2015