Accused library shooter has 'behavioral outbursts'

CLOVIS — Accused library shooter Nathaniel Jouett is receiving initial evaluations and psychiatric therapy from Mental Health Resources. It’s a process occupying much of his defense attorney’s energy and manifesting in minor incidents at the Juvenile Detention Center, as discussed at a status conference Monday afternoon.

Jouett, 17, has had a few “behavioral outbursts” in local custody as his mental health treatment continues in early phases. Those incidents were not detailed in court, but they were anticipated with the therapy and they’re being managed, Chief Deputy District Attorney Brian Stover said in the hearing attended via video conference by Roswell Judge James Hudson and defense attorney Stephen Taylor.

“This issue has sort of dominated my time on the case,” Taylor said, but he told Hudson he wasn’t ready yet to say if the current trial date in March would need to be adjusted.

Stover said the state is making “very good progress on witness interviews” and other discovery. Phase one of trial preparation ends June 29 and phase two carries through Oct. 19, Hudson reminded the attorneys, and suggested another status conference in late August.

Stover said prosecutors are also beginning to receive reports from the state crime lab, which along with monthly updates on Jouett’s mental health treatment are being conveyed to Taylor.

Jouett is accused of killing library workers Krissie Carter and Wanda Walters and injuring four others after opening fire on Aug. 28 at the Clovis-Carver Public Library.