A 61-year-old Yachats man has been sent to the Oregon State Hospital for treatment and to determine if he is fit to stand trial on charges stemming from firing a handgun into a neighbor’s house in late February.
Terry L. Davidson was sent to the state’s psychiatric treatment in Salam last month for at least 60 days for treatment and evaluation.
Lincoln County Circuit Judge Sheryl Bachart signed the order April 2, based on a psychiatrist’s report, her observation of Davidson during hearings and on the recommendation of his court-appointed lawyer.
The judge’s order asks that Davidson be evaluated within 60 days and that the hospital notify the court within 90 days if, or when, Davidson could understand proceedings against him. If he is unfit, then the judge said Davidson could be treated for up to three years – the maximum sentence for the charges.
A Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputy arrested Davidson on Feb. 27 at his home on West Second Street after a neighbor reported hearing gunshots about 7:20 p.m. and a found hole in a window about a foot above her head. The deputy traced the shot across the street where Davidson lived. He told the deputy that he fired the 9 millimeter handgun, thought he had killed someone and hid the spent casing in a bag of cat litter, according to a probable cause affidavit.
He is charged with unlawful use of a weapon, a felony, and recklessly endangering another person and criminal mischief, which are misdemeanors.