Adrian man sent back to mental hospital

By JESSICA KELLER
ARGUS OBSERVER
JessicaK@argusobserver.com
Wednesday, November 11, 2009 11:23 AM PST

VALE — An Adrian man charged with murdering his wife in September will stay at Oregon State Hospital until he is deemed fit to assist in his defense.

Bill Holmes, 54, was arrested Sept. 8 and indicted on murder charges in the death of his wife, Janet Holmes, 48.

At his arraignment hearing Sept. 15, his attorney filed a motion to send Holmes to the Oregon State Hospital in Salem for an examination to determine if he was mentally fit to proceed for a trial.

Oct. 28, in a hearing at Malheur County Circuit Court, the evaluation from Oregon State Hospital was reviewed and it was determined Holmes was unable to aid and assist in his trial proceedings and he was ordered to return to the state hospital, Assistant Malheur County District Attorney Erin Landis said.

According to Oregon Revised Statute 161.360: A defendant “may be found incapacitated if, as a result of mental disease or defect,” and he or she is unable to “understand the nature of the proceedings against the defendant;” “assist and cooperate with the counsel of the defendant;” or “participate in the defense of the defendant.”

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Landis said Holmes will be re-evaluated periodically, or at least every 180 days, at Oregon State Hospital to determine whether he is able to move forward at a later time. He will also receive any medication and treatment deemed necessary and classes familiarizing him with the court process.

“Once he is able to aid and assist, they’ll send him back here,” Landis said.

He would not comment on Holmes’ mental state or what was determined in the report from Oregon State Hospital.

“I think that could have some later impact and bearing on the case,” he said.

In 2007, Holmes was deemed to be stable and not a threat to the public during a mental competency hearing in the Malheur County Circuit Court. According to documents at the time, Holmes was not considered to be a danger to himself or to others and was not chronically mentally ill.

In other public safety news:

Payette County Prosecutor Anne-Marie Kelso confirmed a Fruitland Police Department officer was cleared in a 2008 fatal shooting of a Fruitland resident.

She said no charges were filed against the officer, which was investigated by and decided upon by the Idaho State Police.

Greg Reagan, then 39, Fruitland, was shot by a Fruitland officer in March 2008, on Cassia Road near New Plymouth after he refused to drop a weapon, officials said at the time.

Reagan died of his injuries at St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise.

Police said the incident occurred at 12:30 a.m. March 28, 2008, after a Payette County Sheriff’s Office deputy and a Fruitland Police Department officer were dispatched to investigate a disturbance where shots were reportedly fired outside of Fruitland.

Reagan was reportedly followed by the Payette County deputy after locating his vehicle while waiting for backup to arrive.

Reagan did not stop for police, and a short pursuit ended on Cassia Road.

According to a report from the time, police said Reagan left his vehicle holding a handgun and pointed it at police. The Fruitland officer fired at Reagan after he refused to drop the weapon, according to police.