SCHOONOVER WAITING FOR MENTAL EVALUATION

(11/04/2006)
Former state senator and delegate Randy Schoonover is in Central Regional Jail waiting for a psychiatric hospital evaluation. The need for a mental competency hearing was brought into his drug trial.

Schoonover, 52, of Clay County, was indicted in May on a charge of delivery of a controlled substance, according to Jonathan C. Sweeney, assistant Nicholas County prosecutor.

Schoonover is accused of delivering a Schedule II narcotic controlled substance (oxycodone) to a confidential informant on July 20, 2005, at his Clay County home.

During Schoonover's trial, the defense made a motion that brought his mental competency to issue, said Sweeney, although the defense presented an evaluation done by a physician.

Special Judge Thomas Keadle ordered that Schoonover be sent to Sharpe Hospital in Weston for evaluation or an improvement period.

Schoonover could be at Sharpe Hospital for as long as six months.