Mental evaluation ordered for hammer attack suspect - KPTV - FOX 12

Mental evaluation ordered for hammer attack suspect

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SALEM, OR (KPTV) -

A homeless woman accused of hitting a woman with a hammer in a Salem park has been ordered to get a mental evaluation.

A judge made that ruling Thursday in the case of Starla Smith.

She was arrested in July after police said she approached three people at a picnic table at Riverfront Park.

Officers said Smith told them they were at her table.

After the group walked away, they said Smith approached them again 10 minutes later, only this time with a hammer.

Police said she hit a woman in the face with it.

The victim did not suffer serious injuries.

Smith was charged with assault, reckless endangering and disorderly conduct.

She wanted to enter a no contest plea in court Thursday, according to investigators, but the judge ordered a mental evaluation first at the state hospital.

A status hearing on the case is now set for Oct. 17.

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