New mental health evaluation ordered for man accused of killing woman, daughter
Another evaluation has been ordered for a man accused of killing a Calumet Township woman and her daughter in 2016.
The court has so far gotten one mental health evaluation where James Lohnes, charged with both murders, refused to cooperate, Lake Criminal Court Magistrate Kathleen Sullivan said. She filled in on Thursday’s hearing in Crown Point for Judge Samuel Cappas.
If he fails to do it, he would forfeit the right for the court to evaluate his competency to stand trial, she said. His next court date was rescheduled for Aug. 1.
The trial date is set for Nov. 12.
Lohnes has pleaded not guilty to murder charges filed in the Jan. 16, 2016, killings of former Calumet Township precinct committeewoman Velia Taneff, 86, and her daughter, Lana Taneff, 63. Autopsies found the women died of asphyxia due to strangulation, the probable cause affidavit states.
Police were asked to check on Velia Taneff’s well-being on Jan. 17, 2016, after a relative of Lohnes’ contacted police and informed them that Lohnes had been doing work for Taneff at her residence in the 2300 block of West 44th Avenue in an unincorporated area near Calumet Township or an adjacent rental property. The relative said he had been unable to contact Taneff and was concerned for her welfare because of what he described as Lohnes’ violent nature, documents state.
Officers found an outside gate and an entrance door to the residence unlocked. Police found Lana Taneff’s body on the basement floor. Velia Taneff’s body was found in an upstairs apartment in the 4400 block of Taft Street. Court records indicate it appeared a struggle occurred as the woman’s glasses were broken on the floor and a chair was turned on its side and laying across her legs.
Investigators activated OnStar for Taneff’s dark blue 2003 Cadillac STS. An Ohio State trooper located it on the Ohio Turnpike in Montpelier, Ohio, and encountered Lohnes walking toward the car. Lohnes, who was arrested for drunken driving, spontaneously told a Lake County police investigator who traveled to Ohio: “She let me take her car. I haven’t seen her since 3:30 or 4 p.m. on Saturday,” court records state. Lohnes then refused to answer questions.
On the day of the killings, a witness told police that Lohnes had made two separate purchases of crack cocaine, documents said. The witness said Lohnes had sought a ride to purchase the drugs. Because of his increasing level of agitation and argumentative behavior, the friend asked someone else to give Lohnes a ride. The other friend told police he dropped Lohnes at a gas station in the area of 43rd Avenue and Taft Street, near Taneff’s home, court records state.