Gun-wielding man’s sanity questioned

STANARDSVILLE — A Ruckersville man who authorities said shot at homes and raised a gun toward law enforcement officers will undergo competency and sanity evaluations.

A judge ordered the evaluations Tuesday for Jonithan Tracy Mullins, 33, at the request of defense attorney Michael Hallahan. Mullins also faces five more charges in connection with the May 13 incident that ended with a Greene County deputy shooting him.

Circuit Judge Daniel R. Bouton granted Hallahan’s motion for the evaluations based on Mullins’ history of mental illness.

“He was hospitalized preceding this incident,” Hallahan said.

Greene deputies responded May 13 to the 11000 block of Spotswood Trail for a report of a man shooting a gun from a porch. Authorities said the man fired at the deputies and at other nearby homes, and raised his weapon at a deputy despite being asked to drop it. A deputy then shot the man in the arm, authorities said.

According to court records, Mullins now faces additional charges — two counts each of attempted malicious wounding and attempted murder and one count of brandishing a firearm. The judge denied bail on those charges Tuesday.

Hallahan said the charges stemmed from the same incident, and were filed because other deputies were present at the incident.

A grand jury previously handed down indictments charging Mullins with use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and attempted capital murder.

The Virginia State Police still is investigating the May 13 incident, Sgt. David O. Cooper confirmed. Greene County Sheriff Scott Haas said the deputy who shot Mullins, Cpl. Joseph Hogsten, has since returned to active duty. He was placed on administrative leave at the start of the state police investigation.

Mullins remains held at the Central Virginia Regional Jail in Orange. He will return to Greene Circuit Court in September, when the results of the competency and sanity evaluations will be reviewed. Hallahan said the outcome of the reports might determine if the case goes to trial.