Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Defendant remains in jail without bail
ODESSA — A local man remains in the Lincoln County Jail while authorities work out details over a possible mental health competency examination.
Arthur James Banko, 68, of Odessa, is being held in the jail without bail while authorities determine if he is competent to stand trial after allegedly threatening to kill another resident, cut his head off and put it on a fence post.
As of Tuesday, Sept. 17, Banko remained in jail on multiple charges including felony harassment-threat to kill, exhibiting/displaying/carrying a weapon with intent to intimidate and violation of an anti-harassment protection order.
According to Lincoln County Prosecuting Attorney Adam Walser, officials are working out the details over a possible competency exam by Eastern State Hospital in Moses Lake.
Banko was booked into the jail Aug. 29 after being arrested by Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office deputy Derek Edwards.
The arrest stemmed from an Aug. 12 incident in which deputies were alerted to Banko’s statements in a 3 minute 48 second video in which he admits screaming at Kelly Watkins, records show. In the video, Banko also threatened to shoot Watkins, cut his head off and put it on a fence post.
Records show the video show Banko stating he went to the victim’s home and banged on the door.
“Just watch the paper, it’s going to be a hoot,” Banko said on the video.
Following an investigation in to the video and statements allegedly made by Banko, deputies arrested the Odessa man Aug. 29.
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