Dothan murder suspect ordered to take psychiatric medication

A Houston County judge has ordered a Dothan man charged with the murder of his wife to take his medication.

Circuit Court Judge Ed Jackson ordered officials with the state Department of Mental Health to give James Allen Chumney, 44, the proper medication after he’d apparently refused to take it during his stay at Taylor Hardin, a state mental health facility.

Houston County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Chumney on Aug. 13, 2007, and charged him with murder in the slaying of his 36-year-old wife, Christine Chumney.

Thomas Klinner, a representative from the state Department of Mental Health, said mental health officials would like to prescribe and give Chumney Clozaril, which he said will rid Chumney of his delusions as an anti-psychotic drug.

“We’re hopeful once the court orders it he will take his medication orally,” Klinner said.

Trent Bullard said his client has a much different view of his mental state than his family. Chumney did not attend the hearing.

“My client’s position is he doesn’t need the medication,” Bullard said. “He’s not mentally ill, and he’s ready to go to trial.”

Wallace Chumney, James’ dad, testified at the hearing that he’s visited his son at Taylor Hardin every other week, and has most recently seen his mental state progressively worsen.

John Chumney, James Chumney’s brother, asked the court for another opportunity to visit his brother in one last effort to persuade him to take his medication.

Several of James Chumney’s relatives attended the hearing, along with Sharon Pickens Yon, Christine’s sister.

Jackson ordered the medication be given to Chumney, but not before two weeks. Jackson previously ordered Chumney to remain at Taylor Hardin until he was competent to stand trial for murder.

Christine Chumney was shot three times with a 9 mm handgun, in the head, chest and abdomen area. She was shot to death at the couple’s home on Iris Road in the Hodgesville community. According to a previous Eagle report, Chumney told investigators “the gun accidentally went off three times, killing his wife.”

Doug McKeown, a clinical and forensic psychologist, has diagnosed Chumney with having a paranoid delusional disorder.

According to the court record, officials at Taylor Hardin determined Chumney’s delusions have included that there was a conspiracy to kill his wife between “Big Pharma,” the Houston County Jail and the Houston County legal services, which was later expanded to include his own attorney and staff at Taylor Hardin.