OLYMPIA — A 30-year-old man accused of stabbing his mother to death with a screwdriver and seriously injuring a former neighbor is being held on $2 million bail.
The Olympian newspaper, citing court papers, said that Tyler Lewis told detectives he stabbed his mother Monday after getting into an argument with her. According to court papers, he also told detectives he stabbed his 67-year-old former neighbor “so that he would not be suffering anymore.”
Lewis appeared in court Tuesday represented by a public attorney. A judge ordered him to undergo a mental health evaluation before he would be allowed to post bail.
Thurston County Coroner Gary Warnock on Tuesday identified the deceased woman as 59-year-old Frankie Austin.
A prosecutor identified the injured man in court as Charles Simpson. He is in critical condition Tuesday at a local hospital.
Austin’s family released a statement Tuesday saying they were devastated by her loss.
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