Texas shooting suspect collapses in court

7/11/2014

Faculty and parents gather outside Lemm Elementary School after placing ribbons on the trees in honor of those killed in a multiple shooting Thursday in Spring, Texas.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

SPRING, Texas — A man accused of killing six members of his ex-wife’s family, including four children, has collapsed in court as a prosecutor recited the charges against him.

A shackled Ronald Lee Haskell was standing before a state district judge today during a probable cause hearing when he fell to the ground. Deputies lifted him to his feet and the 33-year-old Haskell stood for about another minute before collapsing again.

He was lifted into a chair and wheeled from the courtroom. His court-appointed attorney, Doug Durham, says it appeared Haskell fainted. He says Haskell is being treated at the Harris County jail.

Durham says the defense will focus on Haskell’s mental health.

Authorities say Haskell was searching for his ex-wife Wednesday when he shot the family in their suburban Houston home.