A Clanton teenager charged in the stabbing death of a female relative will likely not stand trial due to mental disease or defect, a judge ruled Aug. 24.

A competency hearing for Lonnie Fells, 16, of Clanton, was held Aug. 24 before Chilton County Circuit Judge Sibley Reynolds, who heard the issue of whether Fells was able to stand trial.

Fells is charged with murder for the stabbing death of the teen’s 69-year-old female relative.

The incident occurred Dec. 30, 2013.

According to an order filed Aug. 24, mental evaluations were performed on Fells by Dr. Karl Kirkland as to Fells’ ability to stand trial, and he was found “not to be competent for that purpose and was sent to UAB for treatment.”

The order states that upon Fells release from the facility, Kirkland re-evaluated Fells and found him to be competent now, but went on to state that Fells was not competent at the time of the offense as charged.

The defense attorney representing Fells finds that Fells is not guilty by reason of mental defect or mental disease, according to the order.

The order went on to state that having access to the forensic evaluation performed at the Juvenile Court level, the evaluator found that Fells evidenced “both subtle and overt signs of a thought disorder that is characteristic of psychosis and/or early onset of schizophrenia, paranoid type.”

In a May 2, 2014, report, Kirkland reported that the diagnosis was confirmed and that Fells was suffering with a severe mental illness that resulted in his inability to appreciate the wrongfulness and criminality at the time of the alleged offense, according to court records.

A hearing for adjudication and disposition has been set for Oct. 16 at 9 a.m. at the Chilton County Courthouse.

The order said the state is to make contact with the Taylor Hardin Secure Medical Facility for a schedule of bed space available.

Authorities at the time of the incident reported responding to a call of a woman unconscious at her home in the 400 block of County Road 356 in Clanton.

Once on the scene, authorities found Annareta Fells outside her mobile home with multiple stab wounds.

Annareta Fells was pronounced dead on the scene.

At the time of the incident, authorities did not identify Lonnie Fells due to his age, and whether he would be tried in court as an adult or a juvenile.

According to court records, Lonnie Fells was indicted by a Chilton County Grand Jury in August 2014 and later arrested.

In October 2014, Reynolds denied a youthful offender request from Fells, according to court records.

Under Alabama law, someone who is charged with crimes while he or she is 21 or younger can apply for youthful offender status.

Fells then entered a plea of not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect.

Court records indicate Fells is currently in jail on a $100,000 bond.