Another evaluation to come in attempted murder case

CATLETTSBURG Prosecutors say a woman charged with attempted murder may undergo another mental evaluation three years after she was accused of dousing a gas station clerk in gasoline before failing to ignite a lighter.

Felicia Helton, 39, of Ashland, was indicted by a Boyd County grand jury on a sole count of attempted murder in December 2021 in connection to an alleged incident at the Sunoco Station at Winchester Avenue and 22nd Street.

Per previous reports, bystanders restrained Helton after she allegedly threw gasoline on the attendant and pulled out a lighter.

On Thursday in Boyd County Circuit Court, Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Kierston Rosen said she may be seeking yet another expert to evaluate the mental competency of Helton.

Previous reports indicate mental competency has been a continuing concern in Helton's case, as she was allegedly reported missing from a personal care facility prior to the allegations.

Helton's attorney, public defender Alea Hensley, said on Thursday another evaluation would make the third physician to do so, as Helton was previously evaluated by Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center and one other doctor.

"We need to sort this out relatively quickly," Boyd Circuit Judge John Vincent said, instructing Rosen to find an expert before Helton reappears next week.

Helton faces up to 20 years in prison, if convicted.