MUNCEE, Indiana — A man in Muncie has been ruled ineligible to stand trial on charges stemming from a fatal shooting in a local Walmart parking lot.
Tyler Christopher Abrams, 32, has been charged with murder, reckless crime, use of a firearm, and obstruction of justice. He is accused of shooting and killing 34-year-old Eaton resident Samuel L. Gillam outside a Walmart at 4801 W. Clara Lane on July 30.
The victim was shot while pushing a shopping cart with his wife after leaving the store, according to court documents. Investigators found no evidence that Abrams and Gillam knew each other.
Abrams’ trial was scheduled to begin Jan. 23 at Delaware Circuit Court 5, but Judge Thomas Cannon Jr. recently issued an order ruling that the Muncy man was ineligible to stand trial. .
“Courts have found that defendants currently lack the ability to understand the proceedings and to assist in the preparation of their defense,” Cannon wrote.
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A capacity hearing was held on December 29th. Prosecutor and defense attorney John Quark stipulated approval of the report filed by local psychiatrist Craig Buckles and psychologist Bob Hatfield. Both mental health professionals determined Abrams was incapable of participating in the trial.
Cannon ruled that Abrams will be transferred to the Indiana Department of Mental Health and Addiction for “recovery services.”
Judges are expected to receive updates on these efforts within 90 days. If capacity cannot be restored, the “normal commitment procedure” will be followed.
Quark had previously filed the necessary paperwork to pursue a defense of insanity.
Abrams was arrested less than 30 minutes after the shooting along North Nebo Road, about a mile west of the murder scene.
The killing was one of seven in Delaware County during the 19 Days last summer.
Myron Jammer Armstrong, the defendant in another resulting murder, was also ruled ineligible to stand trial.
Armstrong, 28, has been charged with murder in the July 31st stabbing of his mother. He was transferred to Logansport State Hospital in his November.
Douglas Walker is a news reporter for The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.
