Mental health is one of the major concerns we’re hearing about more and more when a gruesome crime occurs. In one of the latest tragedies in the Bay Area where a woman is accused of murdering her older sister, their family believes mental illness played a role. 

Charee Howard is an accomplished medical doctor, involved in her community and as her brother describes her, “as sweet as cotton candy." But right now, she’s behind bars at the Pinellas County jail, charged with murdering her older sister, Sherry Lynn.

Her family blames mental illness.

Psychologist Dr. Valerie McClain isn’t involved in this case, but works these kinds of cases all of the time.

“I work in eight different counties in Florida, and I’m on the court-appointed list to do what we call court-appointed evaluations for competency to proceed,” she said. “Meaning, does that defendant have the capacity to interact with the attorney and rationally process information concerning their case?"

Howard’s family is dealing with the loss of Lynn but they’re also worried about Howard harming herself behind bars.

McClain offered this insight. “I am totally on the page with family being concerned. And because I am also on the inside, if you will. I go into those jails. I go into those cell side observations when they’re under what we call psych observations where they’re in a turtle suit. They call it a green turtle suit with Velcro and they don’t give them sharps because they want to protect them.”

Sherry Lynn is on the left, and Charee Howard is on the right. (Photo courtesy of Michael Hobbs)

McClain said that’s done whether there’s a concern of mental health issues or not in a case like this. 

Howard's family said their concerns worsened during her first appearance hearing Wednesday when the bailiff said she was uncooperative. McClain says their concerns are warranted. 

“I can already tell you I’ve tell you I have question marks on this case, especially given the history and the closeness of the sisters and the community’s response,” she said. “So, the attorney involved would just go to first appearances and if the person is not capable of even going to that, then there’s a concern raised about mental health issues.”

McClain emphasized, that doesn’t give anyone charged with crimes like murder a pass.

“If it’s believed by the attorney or the family and other parties that underlying mental health disorder that was not treated or treated was contributory to that person not being able to appreciate the wrongfulness of their actions or the consequences, then it could be considered as a mental health defense,” she said. "Now you can have a mental health disorder and have intent to kill someone.”

She says determining if a suspect is competent is key. Figuring out how to treat the mental illness is even more important if there is an issue.  

In this case she says the family will have to wait to hear from the appointed attorney or Howard herself for an update on her condition. 

All of this while they prepare to bury her big sister.

So far family members tell us they haven’t gotten an update on Charee’s condition. The sheriff’s office said Thursday that because of her status at the jail, she’s still being processed, days after her initial arrest.