Mental tests ordered for suspect in killings

A 7th District judge ordered mental competency tests Tuesday for a man charged with killing his parents and pointing a gun at his younger sister in their Castle Dale home.

Judge George Harmond also ordered the Utah Department of Human Services to evaluate Peter Simon Sharp for mental retardation issues relating to competency to stand trial.

The case will return to court for review Jan. 5, 2010.

Sharp, 26, is charged with two counts of aggravated murder, a first-degree felony; and aggravated assault, a third-degree felony, in connection with the Oct. 21 deaths of his parents, Charmaine Sharp, 54, and William Sharp, 51. Peter Sharp also allegedly pointed a shotgun at his 12-year-old sister before leaving the home.

Four of Sharp's nine siblings were in the house when the shootings occurred, and two of them managed to wrestle with Sharp as they tried to get a gun away from him, according to police.

One of Sharp's uncles, Kelly Sharp, said the young man had been in an accident about six years ago and never seemed to be the same since then. Kelly Sharp said his nephew often appeared confused and at a family wedding was not able to recognize some of his own relatives. Peter Sharp had received some type of mental health treatment, but he was living at home because his parents thought it was the best place for him.

Peter Sharp is held in the Emery County Jail under a no-bail order.

— Linda Thomson