2015-10-09 Cheatheam

Mary Cheatheam, 57, is suspected of killing her husband, 65-year-old Samuel Cheatheam on Friday, according to police.

Murder of Samuel Luke Cheatheam – American Motor Inn

Samuel Luke Cheatheam, 65, was found dead on October 9, 2015, at the American Motor Inn, 4519 Canyon Drive, in Amarillo, Texas. His wife, Mary Elizabeth Cheatheam, 57, was charged with his murder in connection with what authorities described as a strangulation death involving a "hair wad."^[1]

Incident

On October 9, 2015, Amarillo police were called to the Amarillo Motor Inn at 4519 Canyon Drive on a cardiac arrest call. Samuel Cheatheam, 65, was declared dead at the motel.^[2]

Police found Cheatheam dead inside a room at the American Motor Inn on Friday. The Special Crimes unit of the Amarillo Police Department was called to the scene.^[3]

Preliminary autopsy results confirmed Cheatheam's death as a homicide. Investigators ruled his death a homicide after finding an "upper airway obstruction with hair wad." The autopsy revealed an "upper airway obstruction" caused by a "hair wad" that was a contributing factor in his death.^[4]

Arrest and Charges

Amarillo police say Mary Elizabeth Cheatheam, 57, was booked into jail for her possible role in the death of Samuel Luke Cheatheam. The suspect is the victim's wife, according to police.

Online records show Mary Cheatheam was booked into the Randall County Detention Center on Friday. She remained there with a bond set at $500,000.

A Randall County grand jury indicted Mary Elizabeth Cheatheam on a murder charge in January 2016.

Prosecution's Case

"We believe that we can prove at trial that she was the only person present at the time of his death," said Randall County Criminal District Attorney James Farren. "We believe it is likely that he was somewhat incapacitated at the time and that she took advantage of that situation. It is likely that the evidence will show that there were numerous substances that contributed to his condition."

Insanity Plea

In January 2016, Mary Elizabeth Cheatheam submitted an insanity plea in the case. The plea was struck down after a court-ordered psychologist declared her competent to stand trial.

Trial and Verdict

Mary Elizabeth Cheatheam was found not guilty by reason of insanity during a bench trial, Randall County First Assistant District Attorney Robert Love said.^[5]

The verdict stems from the incident on October 9, 2015, when police were dispatched to the American Motor Inn on a call of a man who was in cardiac arrest. Detectives from the Amarillo Police Department's Special Crimes Unit investigated the case following suspicions that were raised by the initial investigation.

Disposition

Based on the judge's verdict, Cheatheam was ordered to be held in state custody while her mental status was further evaluated and a hospital was selected for her residency.

A hearing that could be held as early as the following week in Canyon's 181st District Court could determine where in the Texas mental health care hospital system Cheatheam would be sent.

Love said Cheatheam would likely be sent to the North Texas State Hospital in Vernon for additional evaluation.

Based on medical opinions rendered there, she could remain at Vernon indefinitely or be sent to a different hospital within the state's system.

"There is no time limit" on how long Cheatheam may be hospitalized, the state's attorney said. "It could be for the rest of her life."

The courts would re-evaluate Cheatheam's mental status at various times, and periodic evaluations would be provided to the court as her case progressed, Love said.

Background

According to public records, Mary (Ray) Cheatheam married Sam Cheatheam in November 1998.

Samuel Cheatheam was booked into Randall County Jail on charges of assault on a family member in December 1998.