McWhorter scheduled to appear in court June 30
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EVANSTON — The Evanston woman accused of murdering Christina Caves and Dean Corlett in their Evanston homes last year has been found fit to proceed in court, after a psychiatrist conducted a forensic evaluation at the request of the prosecution. An order to proceed, signed by Circuit Court Judge Michael L. Greer, was filed on Thursday, May 25.
A competency hearing was scheduled for that same day; however, the hearing was canceled after McWhorter — through her public defender, Kent Brown — acknowledged and accepted the results of the evaluation.
Uinta County Attorney Loretta R. Howieson said it likely won’t be the last time McWhorter is evaluated.
“This is simply a procedure to insure that she has the requisite ability to understand the proceedings, the charges pending against her and associated penalties, and to assist counsel in her defense,” Howieson said. “The State simply asserted a desire, due to the nature of the charges, to insure her competency to proceed.”
She said the forensic evaluation was conducted by a psychiatrist with the Wyoming State Hospital, who deemed McWhorter competent to proceed at this time.
“In short, this evaluation addresses her current and present ability and mental status,” Howieson said. “It is anticipated that, pursuant to … [state statute] … a criminal culpability examination will be conducted at some juncture which would address any mental illness or deficiency at the time of the alleged crimes.”
Christina Caves, 52, was found dead in her Evanston apartment on Sept. 10, 2016. A liitle more than two weeks later, Dean Corlett, 69, was found dead in his home on Sept. 26, 2016. Both deaths have been ruled homicides.
McWhorter allegedly confessed to both murders during a February interview while she was in custody for other charges.
She is scheduled to appear in Uinta County Circuit Court at 9 a.m. on Friday, June 30, for a preliminary hearing. There, a judge will determine if there is enough evidence to have the case bound over to district court. If convicted, McWhorter could face the death penalty.
