FAYETTEVILLE -- A man charged with murder in the stabbing death of his brother didn't show symptoms of a mental disease or defect during his court-ordered examination, but he does fit the criteria for some state of mental disorder, according to doctors.
Freddie Davis Matthews, 41, fatally stabbed his brother Alfred Davis Matthews Jr., 43, with a knife while they were fighting outside their home Jan. 29, according to police.
Matthews pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder and second-degree battery in Washington County Circuit Court in March. He faces 10 to 40 years or life in prison if convicted.
Police found Alfred Matthews lying on his back in the driveway at 764 N. 54th Ave. about 1 p.m.
Fire Department and Central EMS personnel treated him, and he was taken to Washington Regional Medical Center where he was declared dead, according to the arrest report.
Witnesses told police the pair were fighting when Matthews went into the kitchen and grabbed a knife before stabbing his brother, according to the report.
Matthews admitted stabbing his brother after police arrived, according to the report.
Washington County Circuit Judge Mark Lindsay ordered Matthews to have a mental evaluation at the Arkansas State Hospital.
At the time of the examination, Matthews didn't show symptoms of a substantially impairing mental disease or mental defect, according to the report by Lacey Willet Matthews, a forensic psychologist. However, based on his history, clinical presentation and test data, he does satisfy criteria for diagnoses of unspecified schizophrenia spectrum, other psychotic disorder and borderline intellectual functioning.
"Although Mr. Matthews has a history of episodic treatment for homicidal ideation and psychosis, there is no evidence to suggest that he is currently experiencing any substantially impairing symptoms of a mental disease or mental defect," according to the report. "His psychiatric symptoms, such as auditory hallucinations and depression, have been largely self-reported with little indication of ongoing functional impairment."
The report says Matthews has the capacity to understand the charges against him and assist in his defense. He also has the capacity to appreciate the criminality of his conduct and to conform his conduct to the requirements of the law, according to the report.
NW News on 08/23/2016