SEVIER COUNTY, Tenn. — A Sevier County man accused of stabbing his mother over 77 times until she died will be held without bond, a court ordered Thursday.
Josh Carr, 30, was arrested after allegedly killing his mother Pamela Renee Carr and stabbing his grandmother on September 2.
An autopsy report revealed Pam, 54, suffered "torturous, serious, physical abuse, and was killed by the use of a knife. She died by multiple sharp force injuries to her neck, head, and torso.
According to his grandmother, Anna Faye Matthews, she watched as Carr pulled Pam out of the bed and killed her.
"Did you see signs of injuries to Pam?" the prosecutor asked.
On the stand, Matthews lowered her head and appeared overcome with emotion before she answered.
"Yes, her neck was cut," she said, gesturing to her own neck and shoulder area.
"Did you see blood?"
"Yes."
Matthews testified that she wanted to help her daughter, but couldn't.
"She called to me, said help me, momma. I tried to help. I realized I couldn't and went to my bedroom and locked the door," she said. "I called my other daughter, Trisha. Asked her to call 911, that he was killing Pam."
At some point during the attack, Matthews said she was cut on her hand and arm. Both cuts required stitches.
She acknowledged when asked by defense attorney Greg Issacs that she didn't think Carr intentionally injured her.
Matthews said Carr had been living with her and her daughter for a while.
In his cross-examination, Isaacs said that Carr had been admitted to Peninsula Hospital for mental issues and had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
In the days before the fatal attack, Isaacs said Carr had not been taking his medication and asked Matthews if he'd said anything that indicated he'd been having problems.
"He told me the Lord told him not to take his medicine," she said.
Sevier County General Sessions Court Judge Dwight Stokes said he made the decision to hold Carr without bond because of the very serious nature of the crime. There was also worry Carr was a threat to the public, and would not show up for court.
After the September 2 incident, Josh Carr fled the area for a number of days. Authorities eventually located him in Michigan, six days after the attack.
Carr is charged with 1st-degree murder and aggravated assault.
Judge Stokes said there is enough evidence for Carr to face the death penalty, but the court has yet to make final decisions on that.