POMEROY — Counsel for Charles S. Williams said this week a psychological evaluation is necessary to determine if Williams is competent to stand trial.

Williams is charged with the robbery and murder of Doris Jackson of Tuppers Plains in February. The indictment against him contains two counts of aggravated murder and eight other charges: three counts of kidnapping, aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, tampering with evidence, and grand theft of a motor vehicle.

His trial has been set for July 7.

According to defense attorneys Charles Knight and William Eachus, Williams was imprisoned in 1991 for threatening the life of President George H.W. Bush, and has been treated in the psychiatric wards of at least six facilities since then.

In a memorandum supporting a motion for a psychological examination filed May 13, Knight said Williams has made suicide attempts since his arrest on murder and other charges.

“The defendant’s mental condition has limited his ability to take part in his defense,” Knight wrote. “Clearly, (Williams’) extensive history of psychiatric treatment warrants a psychological evaluation to determine his competency to stand trial or his ability to understand the contents of any plea agreement.”

According to Knight’s memorandum, Williams has reported being treated at Lakin State Hospital in Mason County, W.Va., Atkins Mental Health Center, North Central Regional Jail in Doddridge County, W.Va., Western Psychological Hospital, Oakwood Forensic Center, Mount Olive Correctional Center in West Virginia, “and others, the names of which he cannot recall.”

“In 1991, (Williams) was sentenced to a term of one year in the Federal Correctional Institution at Butner, N.C., for threatening the life of the U.S. president. Furthermore, (Williams) has made attempts to take his own life as recently as April 8 and 27.”

“Clearly, defendant’s extensive history of psychiatric treatment warrants a psychological evaluation to determine his competency to stand trial or his ability to understand the contents of any plea agreement.”

“Based on the historical factors specific to this defendant and counsel’s interactions with him, counsel must ensure that the defendant is able to understand the nature of the proceedings and that he has the psychological ability to make the important decisions required of him.”

To date, Judge Fred W. Crow III has approved payment of $1,000 for Williams’ psychological evaluation. At Williams’ arraignment, Knight reserved the right to withdraw Williams’ not guilty pleas to two counts of murder in exchange for pleas of not guilty by reason of insanity, once psychiatric testing has been completed.