UPDATE: Man charged with attempted murder will have a psychological evaluation

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Ohio (WTAP) - UPDATE 11/01/2021 4:39 P.M.

A man charged with attempted murder will have a psychological evaluation. Clay Phelps is charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting at his wife while she tried to drive away from him.

This happened in Washington County in September. Phelps’ attorney filed a motion for incompetency on behalf of his client.

Judge Mark Kerenyi ordered Phelps to get a psych evaluation.

ORIGINAL STORY 09/21/2021 11:00 A.M.

A Washington County man has been arrested after allegedly trying to kill his wife Sunday afternoon.

According to the Washington County Sheriff’s office, 58-year old Clay Phelps of Marietta told his wife, Vicky Phelps, that she should leave their home because he wanted to kill her. Vicky told the sheriff’s department she got in her car to leave. As she was leaving she heard what she believed to be gunshots. Detective Sgt. McKee examined the vehicle Vicky was driving when she heard the gunshots. The vehicle had 6 holes, consistent with holes caused by a bullet.

Detectives met with Clay Phelps at his home. Clay admitted that he had used a 9mm firearm and shot at his wife, while she was driving her vehicle. Clay refused to provide the firearm used in this incident.

“He was arrested and taken to jail. He went to court, I think it was yesterday morning. So the bond is set for the attempted murder would be 75,000 dollars at this time,” Deputy Sheriff Mark Warden said.

Warden says the investigation is still ongoing and that if anyone has any information they should call the sheriff’s office.

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