A New Florence woman will be evaluated by a psychologist to determine if she can be held criminally responsible for the killing of her mother last year.

The lawyer for Melissa Sue Fox-Beacom told a county judge during a court hearing on Tuesday that questions remain about his client’s mental state on Dec. 11, 2023 when 71-year-old Alice Robson was shot and killed in the living room of her St. Clair home.

“We want to know if she (Fox-Beacom) was insane at the time and see if that is a viable defense. I’ll defer to the experts,” said defense attorney Tim Dawson.

Fox-Beacom, 50, was charged last year with criminal homicide, first-degree murder , conspiracy and abuse of a corpse in connection with her mother’s death. Police said Fox-Beacom enlisted two 18-year-old men, including her daughter’s boyfriend, to kill Robson.

Robson was shot twice in the head and her body was buried under a porch of her home. Police said they found the suspected murder weapon during a search last spring of Donegal Lake.

According to court records, prosecutors contend Robson’s murder was a result of an ongoing dispute between Fox-Beacom and her mother over the custody of Robson’s grandson, who needs 24-hour supervision.

Police said Robson and her husband had custody of the boy since August 2019.

Authorities contend Fox-Beacom asked Matthew Bates, her daughter’s boyfriend, and Robert Jack to kill Robson.

Police said both Bates and Jack accused each other of firing the shots that killed Robson as she sat in a chair nearby where her grandson slept.

Bates, 19, of Ligonier Township; and Jack, 19, of Washington, were charged with criminal homicide, first-degree murder, conspiracy and other offenses. They are being held in jail without bond as they await a trial that has not yet been scheduled.

A Westmoreland County judge, following a prior mental health assessment, last year ruled Fox-Beacom was competent to stand trial.

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