ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, March 6, 1997 TAG: 9703060070
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LAURENCE HAMMACK THE ROANOKE TIMES
A Roanoke man accused of killing his estranged wife tried to kill himself in jail with an overdose
James C. McCullouch is mentally incompetent to stand trial on charges of stabbing his estranged wife to death outside a Southeast Roanoke grocery store, a judge ruled Wednesday.
New questions about McCullouch's mental condition arose on the eve of his trial - which had been scheduled to begin today - after he recently tried to commit suicide at the Roanoke City Jail.
McCullouch, 39, spent two days in the hospital last week after he overdosed on prescription medication that he apparently had hoarded in his cell, authorities said. His lawyers learned of the suicide attempt Monday and asked that McCullouch be evaluated by a psychiatrist.
After reviewing the psychiatrist's report Wednesday, Circuit Judge Clifford Weckstein found that McCullouch is incompetent to stand trial and ordered him sent to Central State Hospital in Petersburg for treatment. McCullouch's trial was postponed until at least June.
Few details about McCullouch's mental state emerged from Wednesday's hearing, and Weckstein ordered the psychiatric report sealed.
But the suicide attempt appeared to play a significant role in the opinion of Dr. Jerome Nichols, who just two weeks ago had decided that McCullouch was mentally fit to stand trial.
Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Eric Branscom said prosecutors hope McCullouch can be restored to competency through treatment and medication in time for him to be back in Roanoke for trial June 16.
McCullouch is charged with the first-degree murder of Wendy McCullouch, his estranged wife. Wendy McCullouch, 31, was stabbed in the stomach as she stood in front of the Ninth Street Galaxy grocery store about 10 a.m. last Oct. 26. She died two days later at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
According to a statement that James McCullouch gave police, he and his wife had driven to the store together. He told police he was angry because his wife had been seeing another man since they separated earlier that year.
McCullouch told police that he had planned to kill himself after stabbing his wife, but authorities found no indication of a suicide attempt when they arrested him a short time later at his Dale Avenue home.
Since he has been in the city jail, McCullouch has made several suicide threats, Sheriff Alvin Hudson said Wednesday. McCullouch apparently hoarded prescription medication that he received daily until he had enough to attempt an overdose the night of Feb. 25, Hudson said.
Since he was returned to the jail Feb. 27, McCullouch has been on suicide watch. He will be transferred to Central State as soon as there is bed space available, Hudson said.
Before the suicide attempt, Assistant Public Defender Darren Haley had asked for a mental evaluation of his client. In a report filed in Roanoke Circuit Court, Haley wrote that McCullouch was hearing voices, that he might suffer from a dual personality, and that his mental problems might be related to having been shot in the head some time ago while driving a taxi.
Court records show that Nichols found that McCullouch suffers from a personality disorder and was probably experiencing significant depression at the time of the stabbing. But based on his first evaluation, Nichols found McCullouch competent to stand trial.
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