SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO) — Attorneys for three South Dakota murder suspects want their clients to undergo mental health evaluations.
Attorneys have filed for a mental health evaluation to be done on John Mitchell, Craig Nichols Jr, and Tyson Christians.
The evaluations will look at several things, including whether the suspects understood that what they were doing was wrong at the time of the crime and whether they are capable of standing trial.
Depending on the results, it could give the suspects the ability to be found not guilty by reason of insanity or guilty but mentally ill.
John Mitchell is accused of beating and strangling a Sioux Falls woman last October.The victim – Carie Coyle – was hospitalized in a coma and later died of her injuries.Mitchell’s attorney filed the request on Monday, March 10.
Attorneys for 32-year-old Craig Nichols Jr. filed paperwork requesting a mental health evaluation last week. The Yankton man is accused of killing 41-year-old Heather Bodden in January and cutting off her head.
In the third case, a judge has approved a mental health evaluation for 24-year-old Tyson Christians. He’s charged with murdering of 23 year old Emily Eirinberg last month, and leaving her body in a car outside the Empire Mall in Sioux Falls.
