FAYETTEVILLE -- A man who police say attacked two women jogging on the Lake Fayetteville Trail last fall is competent to stand trial, according to a mental examination.
Richard Leroy Turner, 34, of 802 Jeffery Place in Lowell pleaded not guilty in December to kidnapping, aggravated assault and second-degree battery. He is awaiting trial.
The psychiatrist's report, filed Tuesday, found Turner had no mental disease or defect at the time of the alleged conduct and he had the capacity to appreciate the criminality of his conduct and conform his conduct to the law.
Turner was diagnosed with methamphetamine disorder, major depressive disorder and panic disorder at the time of his examination. He told doctors he did not remember the incidents on the trail.
Police said they found Turner, who was previously convicted of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old, by using DNA evidence from sunglasses he left at the scene.
April Robertson, 28, of Springdale reported an assault at 2:22 p.m. Sept. 13. Robertson is a reporter for the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
Robertson told police she was jogging alone when a man ran up behind her and tackled her, according to an arrest warrant affidavit from Washington County Circuit Court. The man punched Robertson on the head and face then dragged her into the woods, police said.
Robertson was able to get away and call 911.
Earlier the same day, another woman jogging on the same trail ran away from a man who attacked her about 6 a.m., according to police.
Turner is being held at the Washington County Detention Center in lieu of $100,000 bond.
NW News on 09/28/2016