MOUNT VERNON — Elmer M. Chandler was ordered held without bail this morning by Municipal Judge Paul Spurgeon. Chandler, 74, is charged with one count of aggravated murder and one count of murder for allegedly causing the death of his 73-year-old wife on Tuesday. Chandler appeared in municipal court via video teleconference.
Spurgeon said he would await a written mental health evaluation, to be conducted by a counselor from Moundbuilders Guidance Center. Spurgeon told Chandler he would reconsider the bond issue, “Once we have determined you are not a threat to yourself or to others.”
A second hearing was scheduled for Tuesday, June 3, when Spurgeon will review the mental health evaluation and set bond. Chandler remains incarcerated in the Knox County Jail.
According to Knox County Sheriff David Barber, Chandler allegedly shot and killed Joann J. Chandler in their Miller Road home sometime before 1:30 p.m. Tuesday. Chandler then moved the woman’s body to a barn on their property, where she was later discovered by the couple’s son.
Chandler was arrested without incident Tuesday after deputies found him sitting in his vehicle at the intersection of Miller Road and Possum Road. According to Barber, investigators recovered a .22-caliber rifle in Chandler’s bedroom that is believed to be the murder weapon. The weapon has been sent to the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation for ballistics testing and fingerprinting.
Investigators are awaiting the results of an autopsy by the Licking County Coroner’s Office. Barber said the autopsy is expected to be conducted Friday.
