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BRIEF: Nampa murder suspect's mental health to be assessed

Idaho Statesman (Boise) - 11/6/2015

Nov. 06--The 24-year-old woman accused of beating her roommate to death at a Nampa treatment center Oct. 25 will have a psychological evaluation before the murder case against her can move forward.

Kayla Teton was scheduled for a preliminary hearing Wednesday, but a judge rescheduled that hearing and ordered a mental health evaluation. The hearing is now set for Dec. 2, and a status conference is planned on Nov. 25.

Teton is charged with first-degree murder, accused of beating 52-year-old Linda Westmoreland to death with a metal bar at Port of Hope, an alcohol and substance abuse treatment center on East Florida Avenue.

Westmoreland, 52, was dead, lying on her bed, when Nampa police arrived before dawn that Sunday, according to a probable cause affidavit. She had suffered extensive head trauma, and a metal pipe, apparently stained by blood, lay on the ground, police said.

A witness reported seeing Teton hit Westmoreland in the head, according to the affidavit.

Teton, who police said also goes by the name Desiree Shepard, is being held without bond in the Canyon County jail.

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(c)2015 The Idaho Statesman (Boise, Idaho)

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