Mental exam finds Springdale man unfit for trial in brother's shooting

FAYETTEVILLE -- A Springdale man who police say shot his brother in the chest isn't mentally fit to proceed to trial, according to an order entered Monday in Washington County Circuit Court.

Johnathan W. Pollard, 22, shot his brother, James E. Pollard, 25, behind a house at 7744 W. Gibbs Road on July 31, police said. Jonathan Pollard pleaded not guilty to a first-degree battery charge.

A mental exam in January diagnosed Pollard with paranoid schizophrenia. A report said Pollard is unfit to understand the proceedings against him or to assist in his own defense.

Circuit Judge Mark Lindsay ordered Pollard committed to the Arkansas State Hospital for treatment to restore his fitness to proceed. Lindsay's order gives doctors 10 months to work with Pollard. A status hearing is set for June 6.

According to the psychiatric report, Pollard had been off his medications for more than a year before the shooting.

An account of the incident said Jonathan Pollard had an altercation with James Pollard's pregnant girlfriend before the shooting and had kicked in a door that struck her. When James Pollard got home, he went to a shed behind the home where Jonathan had been staying to talk about the incident. Jonathan Pollard pulled out a .22-caliber pistol and shot him.

Jonathan Pollard told doctors he was "talking with angels" and was afraid James Pollard was going to attack him.

NW News on 02/09/2016

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