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Ratcliff man to use mental illness defense

Times Record - 12/23/2018

Dec. 23--Dustin Jordan plans to use mental illness as a defense in his double homicide trial.

Dustin Jordan, 23, of Ratcliff is charged with two counts of first-degree murder after he allegedly killed his mother and father, Michael and Kathy Jordan, on Oct. 8 inside their residence. Though the state public defender's office ruled Dustin Jordan eligible to stand trial, a document filed in Franklin County Circuit Court after that determination states he plans to rely on the defense of mental defect or disease in his trial.

He pleads not guilty to his charges and is set to appear for jury trial Feb. 21-22, according to court records.

Deputies the afternoon of Oct. 8 found Michael and Kathy Jordan dead with gunshot wounds inside their residence in the 4300 block of Compressor Road during a welfare check. Sheriff's officials developed Dustin Jordan as a suspect in the double homicide from an alleged assault on his parents earlier that year, reports of his behavior just prior to his parents' deaths and ammunition they found inside his bedroom that matched the shell casings in the crime scene, according to the probable cause affidavit.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers on the evening of Oct. 9 arrested Jordan in Arcadia from a ping sheriff's deputies sent them from his cellphone. Jordan the following day was transported back to Franklin County and charged, said County Sheriff Anthony Boen.

Jordan on Oct. 24 filed his intent to rely on the defense of mental disease or defect in circuit court. The Franklin County Detention Center on Dec. 6 was ordered to take Jordan to the Arkansas Psychiatric Clinic for evaluation. Subsequent documents on Wednesday had not been filed in circuit court.

Jordan on Wednesday remained in custody at the Franklin County Adult Detention Center in lieu of a $1 million cash or pro bond, according to jail records.

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