Man Accused Of Triple Murder To Undergo Mental Evaluation
By: Ken Curtis
Updated: October 9, 2012
A man accused of
killing three people and wounding another at a Houston County nightclub has
entered pleas of not guilty by reason of mental disease and has been ordered to
undergo a psychiatric examination.
Ryan Clark Petersen,
23, faces three counts of capital murder, one count of attempted murder, and
other charges in connection with the August 9 shootings at Teaser's, a
gentleman's club located in the Wicksburg community.
Among those killed was
Tiffani Paige Grisset, 31, who was an employee of the club, Cameron Eubanks,
the 20-year old son of the club's owner, and Thomas Robins, 59, who was a
patron in the establishment.
Petersen is believed
to have become angry during a dispute with others inside Teaser's and was subsequently
escorted out of the club by security personnel.
Prosecutors, during the trial, are expected to present a surveillance
video showing Petersen going to his automobile where he retrieved a
handgun. He then went back inside where
he is believed to have shot the four people.
Investigators say Petersen
then ran toward a wooded area where he was the target of a seven-hour manhunt
which culminated in his arrest. A source
familiar with the investigation claims Petersen confessed during interrogation
held a few hours after his apprehension.
During an arraignment held Tuesday, Circuit
Judge Brad Mendheim also ruled that the defense and prosecution must make
available to the other case evidence as required by Alabama law.
It's not immediately clear when or where the psychiatric examinations will take place. Petersen remains in the Houston County Jail.
