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Accused wife killer remains in psychiatric hospital

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

WARREN

Royce Honaker, the 60-year-old Southington man who called 911 police July 31, 2012, saying he had just killed his wife, Donna, remains in a state psychiatric hospital unable to aid in his defense.

Honaker, of Countyline Turnkpike Road, is charged with murder in the shooting death of Donna Honaker, 58.

During a brief hearing Tuesday in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court, Atty. Paul F. Adamson, who represents Royce Honaker, said his client is “still not prepared to discuss his defense.”

Judge Andrew Logan said his office will contact the facility to get an update on Royce Honaker’s condition and set another pretial hearing for June 17.

Judge Logan ruled Honaker incompetent to stand trial in May because of what one mental health professional called “undiagnosed concerns” and Honaker’s refusal to cooperate in a mental-health evaluation the judge ordered in 2012.