SOUTH BEND — A man charged with killing one son and torturing another will be evaluated by three court-ordered doctors as part of his effort to use an insanity defense.
Today, St. Joseph County Superior Court Judge Jane Woodward Miller appointed the doctors — a psychiatrist, a psychologist and a medical doctor — to evaluate 35-year-old Terry Sturgis, who is accused of beating his 10-year-old son Tramelle Sturgis to death in the family’s home on West Washington Street on Nov. 4.
Sturgis also faces additional charges for allegedly beating his 14-year-old son, who later told police he had been beaten for hours before Tramelle’s death.
Under state law, the court must appoint two or three doctors to examine anyone trying to use a defense of “mental disease or defect.”
During this morning’s status hearing, the court selected a psychiatrist and psychologist to evaluate Sturgis.
Jeff Kimmell, Sturgis’ attorney, also asked that his client be evaluated by a medical doctor, which led to the third appointment.
Sturgis, who remains in jail with no bond, faces eight felony charges and six misdemeanor charges, alleging that he beat and tortured his children, using items like hot irons and screwdrivers, as well as clubs and his hands, for a period of three years.
Staff writer Dave Stephens:
dstephens@sbtinfo.com
574-235-6209
Today, St. Joseph County Superior Court Judge Jane Woodward Miller appointed the doctors — a psychiatrist, a psychologist and a medical doctor — to evaluate 35-year-old Terry Sturgis, who is accused of beating his 10-year-old son Tramelle Sturgis to death in the family’s home on West Washington Street on Nov. 4.
Under state law, the court must appoint two or three doctors to examine anyone trying to use a defense of “mental disease or defect.”
During this morning’s status hearing, the court selected a psychiatrist and psychologist to evaluate Sturgis.
Jeff Kimmell, Sturgis’ attorney, also asked that his client be evaluated by a medical doctor, which led to the third appointment.
Sturgis, who remains in jail with no bond, faces eight felony charges and six misdemeanor charges, alleging that he beat and tortured his children, using items like hot irons and screwdrivers, as well as clubs and his hands, for a period of three years.
Staff writer Dave Stephens:
dstephens@sbtinfo.com
574-235-6209
