Evaluation Will Delay Murder Trial Judge Orders Psychiatric Tests For Suspect

Prosecution of a Hayden woman accused of stabbing an 82-year-old woman to death has been put off until she undergoes a mental health evaluation.

First District Court Magistrate Barbara Buchanan on Friday ordered that a psychiatric evaluation of Janet M. Holmberg be done to determine if the 38-year-old woman is capable of understanding the charges against her and assisting in her own defense. The evaluation is expected to take a couple of weeks.

During a closed hearing last month, another judge ordered that Holmberg be civilly committed for one to three years.

Holmberg has spent most of the time since her Aug. 12 commitment being treated at the Pocatello Women’s Correctional Center, said Lansing Haynes, chief deputy prosecutor.

Holmberg’s parents requested the involuntary civil commitment, public defender John Adams said.

Prosecutors have charged Holmberg with firstdegree murder and burglary. The mental health issues have delayed Holmberg’s preliminary hearing, which would determine if prosecutors have enough evidence to try her.

Court documents accuse Holmberg of using shards of a broken vase to stab Marie V. Ward to death early on July 29. She also allegedly broke into a camping trailer next to Ward’s house.

Department of Health and Welfare doctors are overseeing Holmberg’s psychiatric care. She recently was returned to the Kootenai County Jail and is receiving treatment on an out-patient basis, Haynes said.

“Given that (civil) commitment and that she hasn’t been released from the Department of Health and Welfare, I would have to doubt her fitness to proceed,” Buchanan said. “I see a need to explore that issue.”

Haynes said the mental health evaluation was necessary to avoid a potential appeal should prosecutors win a murder conviction. Such an appeal would contend Holmberg’s poor mental health prevented her from getting a fair trial, Haynes predicted.

Adams opposed the order requiring Holmberg to submit to a mental health examination. Adams told the judge that Holmberg would not cooperate with doctors.

“Janet’s evoking her constitutional right not to speak to that examiner,” said Adams, who asked that he be allowed to be present during Holmberg’s examination.

Buchanan did not immediately rule on Adams’ request, saying she would announce a decision by Tuesday.

The judge also refused Adams’ request that she prevent jailers from giving psychiatric medications to Holmberg. Buchanan said prescription medication should continue to be offered to Holmberg and notations made in a log if she refuses to take the drugs.