Lewis County Sirens.com

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The attorney for the man charged in the fatal shooting of a neighbor in a Winlock trailer park asked a judge today that his client’s mental health be evaluated.

Richard J. F. Roth

Richard Joseph Frank Roth, 65, is charged with first-degree murder for the Nov. 4 death of 64-year-old Jackie Marie Lawyer.

Attorney Mike Underwood said it’s standard procedure in a case this serious to discover whether or not a defendant is competent to stand trial.

Prosecutor’s allege Roth retrieved a handgun from his property and confronted Lawyer near the trailer park mailboxes after an argument between the two about him “snitching” on her for dumping wood stove ashes in the woods. Roth called 911 to report the shooting after it happened.

Roth previously has been brought up for his court appearances in a wheelchair but attorneys didn’t have him come to the courtroom for today’s brief hearing.

He has pleaded not guilty and remains held on $500,000 bail.
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Read more about the case here in “Slain woman previously managed Winlock trailer park where she died” from Friday Nov. 12, 2010

Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter

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