Mental review sought for Arkansas man accused of fatally beating sleeping man with ax handle

FORT SMITH -- The attorney for a man scheduled to go on trial in 10 days on a capital murder charge in Van Buren is asking for a mental evaluation of his client, saying he may not be fit to stand trial.

ADVERTISEMENT

More headlines

Robby Golden with the Arkansas Public Defender Commission filed a motion Tuesday in Crawford County Circuit Court asking that Randall Lavan Jordan, 35, undergo examination by doctors to determine whether he lacks the capacity to understand the court proceedings against him or to effectively assist in his defense because of a mental disease or defect.

The motion before Circuit Judge Mike Medlock said there was reason to believe Jordan was not fit to proceed to trial, but it did not state the reason.

Jordan's capital murder case is scheduled to go before a jury Jan. 23. If the motion is granted, Prosecuting Attorney Marc McCune said, the trial could be delayed for two to three months until the evaluation is completed, or longer if Jordan is found mentally unfit.

[EMAIL UPDATES: Get free breaking news alerts, daily newsletters with top headlines delivered to your inbox]

According to Golden's motion, the state will seek the death penalty against Jordan. McCune said Thursday that he had not made a decision on whether to seek death for Jordan and that he had told Golden that the death penalty was not off the table.

The punishments for a capital murder conviction in Arkansas are death or life in prison.

Jordan is accused of beating Larry Eugene Jones, 59, with an ax handle as he slept in his bed June 10. He died shortly after in a Fort Smith hospital.

According to police reports, Jordan had been staying at Jones' rural Van Buren home at 5305 Grand Juniper Road. But Jones kicked Jordan out because he wouldn't help around the house, help pay the bills or try to get a job, police said. He still had keys to the house, police said.

A woman also staying at Jones' home told deputies she woke up about 5 a.m. June 10 to the whining of one of her dogs, police said. She could hear someone gasping for air and went to check Jones' room, according to reports.

She told deputies she saw the shadow of someone striking downward with a large object, reports said. With each strike, Jones made a loud grunting sound, according to the reports.

Neighbors responding to calls for help found Jordan standing in the dark in the doorway to Jones' bedroom, holding the ax handle, police said. A neighbor held Jordan at gunpoint until deputies arrived and arrested him, police said.

State Desk on 01/13/2017

Upcoming Events