A man charged with fatally shooting his father in the head two years ago was declared not guilty by reason of insanity Monday.
On June 16, 2012, Alexander Shelton, 26, shot and killed his father, Lauren, inside of their home, according to the Shelby County District Attorney General’s office. The body of the 55-year-old accountant was discovered on the couch with a gunshot wound to the head.
Shelton was arrested later that day on I-40 near Jackson, Tennessee. He was charged with first-degree murder.
Monday, August 18th, it was declared that Shelton did not understand the wrongfulness of his actions at the time he killed his father, due to suffering from a mental disorder.
In court, a state psychologist who performed a forensic evaluation on Shelton detailed his long history of treatment for mental issues since he was 11 years old, according to the D.A.’s office. After hearing the information, Criminal Court Judge Bobby Carter concurred that Shelton did not understand that he was committing a crime when he shot his father.
Shelton was referred to a state mental facility for further evaluation to determine whether he is committable and poses a danger to himself or others. He will remain in custody until further order of the court.