Court rules Bill Carson mentally unfit for trial

Bill Carson is not mentally fit to stand trial in the summer stabbing death of his wife, Terry Carson, a Cowley County judge ruled Monday.

Carson – who underwent a mental evaluation performed by a Wichita psychologist, at the request of his attorneys – will be transported to a private mental-health facility in Texas for treatment.

Following his mental health evaluation, the court was informed that Carson was not mentally capable of understanding the charges against him and was unlikely to become competent at any time in the near future, county attorney Chris Smith said.

Smith said the arrangement the court approved will allow for Carson to be sent to a private, 24-hour, locked facility. The expense of the treatment will be paid for by Carson’s family.

Carson, 61, was charged with intentional second-degree murder in the death of his wife at the couple’s home in Ark City.

He had been in custody since June 26 when emergency crews arrived to find Terry Carson, 68, dead, after having suffered a stab wound to the neck with scissors.