A Warren County judge has ordered a woman suspected in the stabbing death of her 85-year-old mother to undergo a psychological evaluation.Marlene Wynn, 51, was arrested Sept. 17 after being found with the body of Mildred Brune at their home on Cambridge Drive. She has been charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action.Associate Circuit Judge Richard Scheibe ordered Oct. 5 that Wynn must receive a psychological evaluation to determine if she is mentally fit to proceed with trial.The order, in part, states that the court has cause to believe Wynn might have a “mental disease or defect” that would prevent her from understanding trial proceedings or assisting in her own defense.Missouri’s Department of Mental Health has been directed to have Wynn examined by a qualified mental health professional who can make a recommendation as to her mental fitness for trial. The examination findings will also include a recommendation of whether Wynn should be held in custody at a suitable medical facility for treatment during criminal proceedings.The Department of Mental Health has 60 days from the date of the order to submit its report to the Warren County Circuit Court.The outcome of the examination could cause criminal proceedings to be delayed while Wynn is put into custody of the Department of Mental Health.Missouri law states that if a person is found to be mentally unfit for trial, that person cannot be tried, convicted or sentenced for a crime for as long as that person’s mental “incapacity” endures. Instead, they are committed to a state mental health facility for treatment until they are found to be mentally fit.Wynn was quickly identified as a suspect in the killing of Brune after police were called to the scene on Sept. 17. Police said Brune had a large laceration to her throat and appeared to have suffered severe head trauma.The next court hearing to review the status of Wynn’s case is scheduled for Nov. 14 in Warren County Circuit Court. Wynn is held in the Warren County Jail on a $500,000, cash-only bond.

Marlene Wynn