Suspect may be delusional

SANDPOINT — A Post Falls man accused of attempting to kill his estranged wife has been ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation, court records show.

A preliminary hearing in James Leverne Carlton’s attempted-murder case is on hold as a result of the defense request. Chief Deputy Public Defender Dan Taylor moved for the evaluation because Carlton appears to be delusional and may not be able to assist in his own defense.

Bonner County Magistrate Court Judge Lori Meulenberg granted the defense motion on Oct. 2, court records show.

Carlton, 60, is accused of driving to his wife’s home north of Priest River on the night of Oct. 1 and attacking her with a knife. The woman survived the alleged attack despite being stabbed in the chest and elsewhere.

Carlton is charged with attempted murder with a weapons enhancement. The criminal complaint alleges the attack was premeditated.

The alleged attack occurred while Carlton was awaiting arraignment in 1st District Court for domestic violence resulting in traumatic injury. He was also accused of violating a court’s no-contact order in the case, according to Bonner County Prosecutor Louis Marshall.