Suspect in murder of Tacoma mom ordered to mental hospital

The Pierce County Superior Court ruled Friday that the man arrested in connection with the May homicide of a Tacoma mother out of three lack the ability to assist in their own defense in court.

The court ordered Tellieun Harvey a 90-day stay at an inpatient treatment facility.

“The defendant will be placed in the custody of the Secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to undergo evaluation and treatment,” court records indicate.

On Tuesday, May 17, Elisia Simpson was found dead in her Tacoma apartment. Harvey, Simpson’s boyfriend, was arrested the next day and booked into the Pierce County Jail on a domestic violence murder charge.

During Harvey’s first court appearance, prosecutors requested that he undergo a mental health evaluation. At the time, Simpson’s friends argued that it wasn’t necessary.

“All the months they were together, he never acted crazy. He never showed signs of being crazy. Now, all of a sudden, he needs an evaluation,” said Simpson’s friend Keya Moss.

Harvey’s next court hearing is scheduled for August 29.

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