BENTOVILLE -- A Siloam Springs man accused of killing his father is fit to stand trial, a judge ruled today.
Ted Charles Meehan, 31, is charged with capital murder. Prosecutors aren't seeking the death penalty, so Meehan would be sentenced to life imprisonment without parole if convicted.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge. Circuit Judge Robin Green found Meehan fit to stand trial based on a mental evaluation.
Tim Meehan Sr., 55, was found dead in his bedroom Dec. 26, 2014, shot once in the head in his home at 15554 Airport Road, just east of Siloam Springs.
Detectives with the Benton County sheriff's office believe Ted Meehan was the only other person at the home when his father was killed. The coroner estimated Tim Meehan's time of death at 8 p.m. Dec. 25, 2014.
Ted Meehan denied killing his father in interviews with detectives. He described a nightmare he had concerning his father and told a detective he worries every day that he will be sent to hell, according to court documents.
Deputies found bullet holes in Ted Meehan's bedroom door and a wall near the door, according to the probable cause affidavit.
He was arrested Sept. 13, 2016 and is being held in the Benton County jail in lieu of $500,000 bond. A pretrial hearing is set for 8:30 a.m. Sept. 7.
NW News on 07/17/2017