A California man charged with assaulting his estranged wife in Layton on Oct. 9 was ordered Tuesday to undergo a mental evaluation at the State Hospital in Provo.
Terry M. Dexter, 43, of Apple Valley, Calif., is charged with aggravated burglary and aggravated assault in the attack on his wife, Christine, in her Layton apartment. Dexter is being held in the Davis County Jail on $50,000 bond.At the request of defense attorney Scott Holt and with the concurrence of prosecutor Carvel Harward, 2nd District Judge Rodney S. Page Tuesday ordered Dexter's mental evaluation.
The evaluation will determine if Dexter is competent to be tried on the two charges and will also determine his competency the night the incident occurred.
According to Layton police, Dexter broke into his wife's apartment armed with a handgun. During the ensuing fight, several shots were fired and Dexter suffered several stab wounds.
The aggravated burglary charge is a first-degree felony, carrying a five-year-to-life prison term. It also has a firearm enhancement clause, carrying an additional five-year prison term.
The aggravated assault charge is a third-degree felony, which carries a prison term of zero to five years.
Page set a hearing for Jan. 2 to review the findings of the mental evaluation.