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Judge orders mental health exam for defendant in Tampa neo-Nazi murder case

 
Devon Arthurs, 18, told police  he shared neo-Nazi beliefs with his roommates, Jeremy Himmelman and Andrew Oneschuk, until he converted to Islam, according to a police report . [Tampa Police]
Devon Arthurs, 18, told police he shared neo-Nazi beliefs with his roommates, Jeremy Himmelman and Andrew Oneschuk, until he converted to Islam, according to a police report . [Tampa Police]
Published Dec. 4, 2017

TAMPA — Devon Arthurs, the man at the center of a bizarre double-murder case that carried overtones of neo-Nazism and violent extremism, will undergo a mental health exam, a judge said Monday.

Attorneys for Arthurs asked Circuit Judge Laura Ward to appoint two doctors to assess whether he is competent to face trial, citing concerns about unspecified mental health issues. Ward appointed psychologist Dr. Christopher Iler to examine the defendant.

"I don't disagree that we may need two experts, given the facts and circumstances of this case," Ward said. "But let's see what the doctor says."

The results of the exam will be discussed at the next scheduled court hearing Jan. 4.

Arthurs, 18, is accused in the murders of his roommates, Andrew Oneschuk and Jeremy Himmelman. Police found the pair dead May 19 inside a Tampa Palms apartment. They had been shot with an assault rifle, according to a police report.

In an interview with detectives, Arthurs said he killed the pair because they were neo-Nazis and had ridiculed his recent conversion to Islam. Afterward, he walked to a nearby smoke shop and held several people at gunpoint before officers convinced him to surrender.

A police report noted that Arthurs said he felt he needed psychiatric help. "He doesn't feel like a monster," a detective concluded, "but he doesn't feel sane."

A fourth roommate, Brandon Russell, discovered the bodies shortly before Arthurs led police back to the apartment. A subsequent search revealed numerous explosive materials, which belonged to Russell, inside an adjacent garage.

Russell pleaded guilty to federal charges related to the explosives and awaits sentencing. He was not implicated in the murders or any other crimes.