Man accused in mom’s death to undergo mental evaluation

BENTONVILLE — A Garfield man accused of killing his mother will undergo a mental evaluation, a judge decided Thursday.

Patrick Christopher Malone, 21, is charged with capital murder. He pleaded not guilty to the charges accusing him of shooting his mother, Christel Malone.

Jay Saxton, Benton County’s chief public defender, requested a mental evaluation for Malone to determine whether he’s fit to stand trial.

Circuit Judge Robin Green granted the request and suspended the proceedings pending the evaluation’s outcome. A mental status hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. April 2.

Benton County Sheriff’s Office deputies went to 16912 Ridge

Road about

3 p.m. July 31 after Danny Malone called

911 and said his son shot and killed his wife. He also said his son is mentally ill, according to the probable cause affidavit.

Deputies found Christel Malone, 44, dead from gunshot wounds. Patrick Malone was arrested at the home. Deputies found a .410 Taurus Judge gun in a holster on the dining room table, according to the affidavit.

Malone told sheriff’s Detective Alison Nguyen he began to think about names his mother had called him. He described his mother as evil and said the two hated each other, according to the affidavit. Malone said he walked into a bedroom and shot his mother when she turned and looked at him, according to the affidavit.

Christel Malone had multiple bullet wounds to her face, according to court documents.

Prosecutors waived the death penalty, so Patrick Malone will be automatically sentenced to life imprisonment if he’s convicted of capital murder.

Patrick Malone is being held in the Benton County Jail on a $250,000 bond.

P. Malone