Ronald Lee Haskell, accused of slaughtering six people in his extended family, collapsed during his first court appearance Friday as the judge read the capital murder charges against him. Deputies in Harris County, Texas, had to hold up the burly suspect before he was wheeled out of the courtroom. He was eventually brought back in to stand before the judge. A defense attorney said his team is trying to determine the state of Haskell’s mental health as evidence shows a “troubled” history.
Ronald Lee Haskell
Police say Haskell, 33, traveled from California to the Houston suburb of Spring and ambushed his ex-wife’s sister, her husband and their five children in their home Wednesday. He fatally shot Stephen and Katie Stay, and their four children, ages 4 to 14, in the back of their heads, authorities said. A fifth child, age 15, survived the shooting. She played dead, and then called 911 when the gunman fled. Police said Haskell had gone to the home in search of his ex-wife, who wasn’t there. Police records show Haskell was previously arrested in 2008 on a domestic assault charge.
Source: NBC News