The transfer at the request of county prosecutors on behalf of the Sheriff's Department was approved by Judge William McGregor Dixon Jr. of the county Common Pleas Court Juvenile and Probate Division.
Assistant Prosecutor Paul Watkins wrote in a motion filed Friday afternoon that Freels' "current condition and security risk is beyond that which can be managed within the Miami County Jail."
The sheriff's office with assistance of the Northern Ohio Psychiatric Hospital determined that it would be in Freels' best interest to be transferred, Watkins wrote.
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Dixon ordered the transfer to the recommended Twin Valley Behavioral Health Care-Morita. Once Freels is stabilized he will be returned to the jail, according to the order. Sheriff Dave Duchak was not available to comment late Friday.
Freels, 57, of Union Twp. faces charges of murder, tampering with evidence, improper discharge of a firearm and felonious assault and three firearm specifications in the Jan. 12 shooting of Samantha Freels, 52. He has pleaded not guilty.
Samantha Freels’ body was found in her car, which had gone off Ohio 55 near West Milton during an afternoon snow storm. Investigators initially thought the death could be from a weather-related accident until a fresh bullet hole was found in the car.
County Public Defender Jack Hemm on Thursday, March 15, filed a motion asking for sanity and competency evaluations for Freels. That motion is pending.
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