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Mental health exam sought for murder suspect

Goshen News - 11/29/2018

Nov. 28--GOSHEN -- An Elkhart woman facing a murder trial next year could undergo a mental health evaluation.

The attorney for Cindy Goodwin, 50, filed a motion last week seeking a psychiatric examination of Goodwin to determine whether she's mentally competent to stand trial. A hearing on the motion is scheduled to be held in Elkhart County Circuit Court Thursday, court information shows.

Goodwin is charged with murder after she was arrested April 5 on accusations she shot and killed Johnny Mullins, 50, earlier that week. Police found Mullins' body in a wooded area off Visscher Drive while investigating a report of a shooting at the Walnut Trails Apartment complex nearby.

Goodwin's trial is currently scheduled to begin March 4, 2019.

Details about why she is charged as the suspect in Mullins' death remain withheld from public view since the probable cause affidavit of her arrest is sealed.

Elkhart County Prosecutor Vicki Becker moved to seal the document shortly after Goodwin's arrest, arguing the record contains sensitive information that could put the integrity of an ongoing investigation and witnesses at risk, court information shows.

The order to seal the affidavit came from Elkhart County Superior Court 2 Stephen Bowers.

In addition to the murder charge, Goodwin is also charged in a separate case from January with misdemeanor counts of operating a vehicle while intoxicated and possession of controlled substances as well as with violating probation in a third case, court information shows.

Aimee Ambrose can be reached at aimee.ambrose@goshennews.com or 574-533-2151, ext. 316.

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