An Alabama man is accused of decapitating two family members with a chainsaw after a relative called 911 about his behavior.
Prosecutors are now weighing whether courtroom remarks warrant additional criminal charges after the Mobile man allegedly told a judge to kill his court-appointed attorney.
Thomas Henry Steele, 47, is facing two counts of capital murder in the Oct. 12 deaths of his aunt, Christy Deloach, 65, and grandmother, Dora Boone, 85, at their home on Carolina Court in Mobile.
During an Oct. 13 bond hearing and initial court hearing, Circuit Judge S. Wesley Pipes ordered an inpatient competency evaluation after Steele said “kill him” when the judge appointed public defender Glenn Davidson to represent him.
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Davidson confirmed with Fox News Digital that he is still representing Steele, but does not have additional details to share while Steele undergoes a mental competency evaluation.
“It’s a terrible situation but I won’t have an official way to question anybody until we get to the preliminary hearing,” Davidson said.
Tara Zieman, communications director for the Mobile County District Attorney’s Office, told Fox News Digital that prosecutors “have not decided” whether to pursue additional charges over the threat, pending the mental health results.
“The defendant is currently being held without bond at a secure medical facility, where he is receiving treatment intended to restore his competency to stand trial,” Zieman said.
“If he is found competent, we will move forward with the prosecution and continue to advocate that he remain held without bond until resolution of the case.”
The evaluation, according to the DA’s office, could take up to 90 days and will be carried out at the Alabama Department of Mental Health.
“Patients begin receiving restoration and treatment services immediately upon admission,” Malissa Valdes, the Public Information Officer for ADMH, told Fox News Digital in an emailed statement.
“Patients are referred for their evaluation once their symptoms are stable and they have completed the restoration program. This timeframe varies based on the patient’s treatment, clinical needs, and their symptoms.”
Hours before police discovered the women’s bodies, a relative called 911 concerning Steele’s behavior.
According to a 911 transcript obtained by AL.com, the caller said Steele had stopped taking lithium, given away his phone and discussed giving away his vehicle. She described him as bipolar and said he planned to “live for God.”
“He’s calm. He’s not violent or anything,” she told the dispatcher.
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The caller also mentioned contacting 988. The dispatcher provided her with the non-emergency Mobile police number before the call ended.
A criminal complaint alleges that Steele killed both women with a chainsaw, NBC 15 News reported. Police discovered the victims deceased inside the residence and detained Steele at the scene.
Zieman told Fox News Digital that she was unsure whether the victims or other family members made any previous legal attempts to commit Steele for mental health observation.
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Steele’s prior incarcerations included “several DUI cases, the most recent dating to 2009,” according to Zieman.
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Steele is scheduled for arraignment Nov. 19 at 9 a.m. before Mobile County Circuit Court Judge Jay York.
Deloach spent 15 years working at Mr. Sam’s Hair Fashions in Mobile, where salon owner Lenny Zanghi described her as a hardworking stylist who lifted others’ spirits.
“Just a real sweet girl. Beautiful person. I considered her a friend. You know, she’d been with us for 15 years, and she cut my hair,” Zanghi told WKRG.
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Neighbors described Deloach as being kind and attending events in the community.
She also cared for her mother, Dora, after her father, Phillip Boone, died. The Boone couple purchased the home in 2014, Lagniappe Daily reported.
Investigators said that they believe the suspect lived at the home with the victims.