Monday, March 24, 2008

Mental Evaluation Ordered For Teen In Death Of Father

   A West Lawrence teen accused of killing his father in the wake of a lengthy domestic altercation Friday has been ordered to undergo a mental evaluation before any further legal proceedings are held.

   Lawrence County Sheriff Kenny Taylor reported Friday evening that units with his department received the callout to the 165 Piney Road home at 6:28 p.m. There deputies found that resident Thomas Schankweiler, Jr., age 37, had died as a result of a single gunshot wound to the head.

   Investigator Melinda Brewer said Monday that Schankweiler and his seventeen-year-old son, Thomas “Tommy” Schankweiler, III, had been involved in altercations throughout the day. During the latter part of the day, Brewer said, the younger Schankweiler left the house, heading to a neighbor’s home where he remained for a time. When his mother telephoned to check on him, she said the teen “feared for the safety of his mother and his siblings and went back home.”

   Brewer reported that the mother met the teen outside the home, warning him to leave “because his father had already threatened to kill him when he returned.” She stated that the boy entered the house at that point. “He later made contact with his mom,” she stated, “And told her ‘Nobody would be hurt by him anymore.’”

   They family called neighbors to come pick them up, then placed a 911 call from that home. Taylor indicated that while there were, at first, conflicting claims among the family members regarding who pulled the trigger, “We feel we have the right suspect in custody.” Taylor said that the youth did offer a confession. He was placed under arrest Friday evening on one count of first degree murder.

   Schankweiler, who was held at the Maury County Juvenile Detention Center during the weekend, made an initial appearance before Lawrence County General Sessions Judge Patricia McGuire Monday afternoon. During the proceedings McGuire, Assistant District Attorney Jim White and Defense Attorney Daniel Freeman opted for a “best interest agreement,” indicating that Schankweiler should undergo a court ordered mental evaluation before proceeding with other legal issues.

   McGuire ordered that Schankweiler be dispatched to a facility in Chattanooga where he will undergo evaluation for between twenty-one and thirty days. “We will re-approach the bond issue,” White commented, “after we receive the report.”

   Freeman expressed his appreciation to the overflowing crowd that turned out in a show of support for Schankweiler. Following the proceedings Freeman explained to those present, “We all think it is a good idea (the mental evaluation) because of the history of this family…Depending on the findings of the evaluation, the case could then move in any number of directions.”

   As defense attorney, Freeman said, “My goal is to see that this won’t impact his life in a way that he won’t be able to eventually overcome it.”

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