Judge: Suspect in Altamonte Springs woman’s killing to be evaluated for mental health issues

The competency of a man suspected of killing an Altamonte Springs woman was called into question during a brief court hearing Friday.

Scott Edward Nelson smiled and spoke with his lawyer in an Orlando courtroom before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karla Spaulding ordered Nelson be committed to the U.S. Attorney General’s custody for a mental health evaluation in a medical center.

Spaulding found “reasonable cause to believe (Nelson) may be suffering from a disease or defect that affects his competency,” she said in court.

The order puts the federal case against Nelson on pause and may also delay state charges related to Jennifer Lynn Fulford. Nelson should be at the medical center for no more than 30 days, the judge ordered.

Defense attorney Dan Eckhart filed a motion Thursday requesting Nelson receive a psychiatric or psychological examination. Nelson, 53, told law enforcement things about his current mental health “that raise legitimate concerns,” the motion states.

Part of the hearing was closed to the public while Eckhart elaborated on the concerns. Eckhart told reporters after the hearing there were about two or three things that may show his mental state. U.S. attorneys did not oppose the request.

Fulford, 56, disappeared last week “under suspicious circumstances” in Winter Park, where she worked as a family’s caretaker. Winter Park police launched a manhunt for Fulford. Her body was discovered in a wooded area off Apopka-Vineland Road Sept. 30.

Winter Park police called Nelson a suspect. He was arrested in a Jacksonville hotel Sunday on violations of his probation from a 2010 bank robbery in Daytona Beach. He was released from prison May 18.

Nelson, who Eckhart said worked for a painter, failed to notify supervisors of his changes in residency and employment, according to court documents. Spaulding said in court Nelson is also facing charges of third degree grand theft auto, theft of a credit card and unlawful use of personal identification in Orange County courts.

Nelson has not been charged in Fulford’s death.

ktorralva@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5417 or Twitter @KMTorralva

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