ASHVILLE — A judge ordered a mental evaluation Wednesday for a woman who allegedly shot two horses, killing one, because she was mad at her ex-boyfriend.St. Clair County District Court Judge Phil Seay approved a motion filed by defense attorney Dennis Rushing asking for a mental evaluation for his client, Rachel Hill, 29, of Moody.
Hill is charged with killing livestock and disabling livestock, both Class C felonies. She is also charged with criminal trespassing, a misdemeanor.
Rushing told Seay he questions whether his client is competent to stand trial.
A preliminary hearing was set for Wednesday, but Seay continued the case so a mental evaluation could be completed on Hill.
Seay reset Hill’s preliminary hearing date for Jan. 28, 2009, at 9 a.m.
Authorities alleged Hill killed one horse and seriously wounded another with a .38 caliber pistol, because she was mad at her ex-boyfriend, Andrew Warren of Odenville, the owner of the horse that died from a single gunshot wound to the head.
Hill allegedly also shot in the chest a horse belonging to Warren’s mother, Lynne Warren. That horse, Candy, is recovering from its wound.
Shortly after Hill’s arrest, Odenville Police Chief Alan Pardue said authorities have a witness to the shooting and recovered a weapon believed used in the crime.
Pardue said apparently Andrew Warren signed a warrant for Hill’s arrest prior to the shooting.
According to an arrest report, Hill was booked in at the St. Clair County Jail at 8:40 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 22, for second-degree theft. She was released shortly thereafter. The shooting happened at about noon the same day.
Hill has remained jailed at the St. Clair County Jail on two $2,500 cash bonds since her arrest in October.
If convicted of the two Class C felonies, Hill could face one year and one day to 10 years in prison for each charge.