Man charged with hatchet attack to be evaluated

HOPKINSVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A southwestern Kentucky man charged with trying to kill his wife with a hatchet and a gun has been ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation to determine his competency and if he is mentally ill.

The Kentucky New Era reported (http://bit.ly/127uJkp) that a judge sent 51-year-old Timothy P. Hale of Hopkinsville to undergo treatment if necessary before his case goes forward in Christian Circuit Court.

Police say Hale attacked 53-year-old Stephanie A. Hale on Sept. 22 by punching her in the face and striking her multiple times with a hatchet. Officers ay Stephanie Hale escaped from the house, but her husband followed with a gun.

Hale is scheduled to be taken to the Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center in LaGrange.

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Information from: Kentucky New Era, http://www.kentuckynewera.com

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