MONROE COUNTY, Tenn. — Attorneys in Monroe County are requesting a mental health evaluation for a man accused in a bizarre murder case.
Nicholas Hamlett is facing charges of first degree murder and flight of arrest. Hamlett is accused of killing Stephen Lloyd. Authorities believe Hamlett befriended Lloyd, a Knoxville man who was known to be experiencing mental health issues leading him to live on the streets.
Hamlett was expected in court Tuesday morning but he did not appear.
Hamlett's wife is also accused of helping him evade police. Taylor Fiber was back in court Tuesday but her hearing was reset. She's charged with accessory after the fact. Police said she bought Hamlett a bus ticket to South Carolina and giving him supplies to survive in the wilderness.
Both Fiber and Hamlett are scheduled to be in court again on Dec. 17.
Police say Hamlett called 911 on Oct. 18 and said he had been chased by a bear, fell and hit his head and was bleeding. This call led authorities to find a body, which had identification belonging to "Brandon Andrade" but it was actually the body of Stephen Lloyd.
Investigators say Hamlett took out $8 million in life insurance policies under Andrade's name. They believe he killed Lloyd to cash in the policy.
