State Wants Evaluation of Woman Accused of Killing Boyfriend

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — Prosecutor's in Rapid City want a court-ordered psychiatric evaluation for a woman accused in the stabbing death of her boyfriend.

Forty-three-year-old Corinne Vermillion is accused of fatally stabbing 37-year-old Donny Ladeaux in January at a public housing complex in Pennington County where the couple and their two children lived.

Chief Deputy State's Attorney Lara Roetzel says Vermillion's attorney is using his client's mental state to bolster her defense.

A mental health expert brought by the defense says that Vermillion is a battered woman and suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Tom Diggins, Vermillion's attorney, objects to a court-ordered evaluation. He says the court does not have the authority to order an evaluation by a state expert.

A trial date for Vermillion has not been scheduled.

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