Attorneys for the man accused of murdering two New Meadows residents earlier this month, are seeking a mental health evaluation.
KTVB reports court documents show John Hart’s public defenders want the Department of Health & Welfare to do a psychiatric evaluation because there is reason to doubt Hart’s mental fitness to proceed. They also say there is reason to believe he cannot assist in his own defense or understand the proceedings against him.
Hart is accused of shooting Rory and Sara Mehen at the Hartland Inn in New Meadows on October 1st.
The prosecuting attorney for Adams County has filed to seek the death penalty in the case because the murder was especially heinous, and that Hart exhibited utter disregard for human life, and that Hart could potentially constitute a continuing threat to society.
According to KTVB, Hart was deemed mentally unfit to stand trial earlier this year for separate charges in Washington. He was waiting for a bed to open up in the state psychiatric hospital, Western State Hospital, when a Clark County, Washington judge let him out of jail in July.
Hart is being held without bond. A status conference is set for Monday. (KTVB)
