Clark Nolan
A Graysville, Tn., man who allegedly strangled, assaulted and threatened to kill his wife while holding her prisoner in their home is competent to stand trial, according to two forensic evaluators.
Psychologist Robert W. Brown Jr. and forensic coordinator Todd Wiggins reported to Sequatchie County General Sessions Court that they evaluated Clark Dean Nolan on charges of aggravated assault, domestic assault and false imprisonment. Their conclusion, they said, is that “a defense of insanity cannot be supported.”
In January, a grand jury indicted Nolan on multiple kidnapping, assault and weapons violations charges.
Nolan, 55, was arrested Nov. 5, just hours after his wife, Chryale Elaine Nolan, escaped from their house at 455 Snyder Loop Road shortly after noon. Mrs. Nolan ran to the home of a relative seeking help, police reports indicate, and 911 was called.
“Elaine Nolan said . . . (her husband) had been beating on her all night,” Sgt. Gary Craft of the Sequatchie County Sheriff’s Department, said in his affidavit of complaint. “(She said Nolan) had a .22 caliber rifle and stuck it to her head and threatened to kill her.” “Defendant then fired the rifle off inside the house,” Sgt. Craft wrote.
Further, he noted, Mrs. Nolan reported that her husband threatened to burn the house down. “He would set pieces of handkerchief on fire,” according to Sgt. Craft’s report. “She would stomp them out.”
Emergency medical personnel were called, the report noted, and Mrs. Nolan was transported to Sequatchie Erlanger.In their report, the forensic evaluators told Sessions Court Judge Thomas Austin that they believe that “at the time of the alleged commission of the acts constituting the offenses, Mr. Nolan was able to appreciate the nature and wrongfulness of such acts.”
“We have concluded that Mr. Nolan has sufficient present ability to consult with his attorney with a reasonable degree of rational understanding,” they wrote, “and a rational as well as factual understanding of the proceedings against him.”