Joanne Vada Holman, 49, is facing a second-degree murder charge for the death of her mother, Pearl Burkhart, also of Sallisaw. Holman was first charged in Sequoyah County District Court in Sallisaw with neglect by a caretaker, but after Burkhart died, the charge was amended to a felony murder count.
Holman's preliminary hearing was originally set Monday, but Jeff Sheridan, Sequoyah County assistant district attorney, said that Holman's attorney, John Sawney, brought up competency issues.
Sheridan said Holman will be sent for a competency evaluation at a hospital in Vinita. If it is determined that Holman is competent to stand trial, her preliminary hearing will be reset. Holman is currently being held in the Sequoyah County Jail in Sallisaw on a $100,000 bond.
According to court records, Burkhart was first discovered unconscious and slumped over in a chair in her home in July. Burkhart was taken to Sequoyah Memorial Hospital in Sallisaw in critical condition, suffering from dehydration and malnutrition, with numerous bed sores and maggots coming out of her hands.
Burkhart was allegedly in the care of Holman, and the two resided in Sallisaw. Holman was also found unconscious in the home.
An adult protective services worker with the Department of Human Services (DHS) in Sallisaw reported that Burkhart was unconscious, had deep bed sores that were four to five inches in diameter, and was emaciated, dehydrated and malnourished.
Holman allegedly told DHS that she consumed 24 beers a day, and at the time Burkhart and Holman were hospitalized, Holman had allegedly started using a form of methamphetamine that caused her to lose track of time, according to court records.
