Man charged in beating death arraigned today
WEAKLEY COUNTY, Tenn. — The man charged with second degree murder, accused of beating a fellow resident to death at a mental health home in Martin will now undergo further evaluation to determine if he’s mentally fit for trial. 32-year-old Marcus Freeman was appointed a public defender. The sheriff’s department says Freeman will now go through a mental evaluation. “Based on that evaluation we’ll either stay here and we’ll proceed with court appearances or he’ll be sent on to MTMHI in Nashville,” public defender Joe Atnip said. Freeman was taken into custody early Saturday morning after deputies say he beat 59-year-old Ollie Grandberry to death at the Adkins House in Martin. Sheriff Mike Wilson says they received a call from the house about an assault around midnight. When they arrived they found Grandberry lying on the floor with severe head trauma. For now, Freeman is being held without bond in the Weakley County Jail. “He’s not from here he has no means to make a bond I’m not sure of any family members that might make a bond for him,” Sheriff Wilson said. Wilson says he thinks the 10 day rule to have a hearing will be waived so Freeman can be properly evaluated. “If they say you know this guy’s in need of some sort of treatment, needs to be in a mental institution, we’ll attempt at that point in time to get those papers,” Wilson said. Sheriff Wilson says they’re waiting for an evaluation from a mental health professional to determine where Freeman will go next. Freeman is scheduled to be back in court November 19.
