Tammy Lewis Competent to Stand Trial

UPDATE, July 22, 2009: Religious leader sentenced to two years in decaying corpse case
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UPDATE, February 5, 2009: Wis. religious leader: No contest in corpse case
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UPDATE, November 17, 2008: Woman convicted in toilet corpse case
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UPDATE, November 16, 2008: Woman to be sentenced for hiding corpse
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Tammy Lewis has been determined to be competent to stand trial for hiding the decaying corpse of an elderly woman, Magdeline Alvina Middlesworth, in her bathroom for two months.

MAUSTON, Wis. -- A woman accused of helping her religious leader hide a dead woman in her bathroom for two months so they could go on collecting her Social Security is competent for trial, a judge ruled Monday.

A psychological evaluation found Tammy Lewis suffers from "mental abnormalities," but she has the wherewithal to assist with her defense, Juneau County Circuit Judge John Roemer said.

The judge sealed the seven-page evaluation.

But defense lawyer Dan Berkos said Lewis has been suffering from depression since her husband left her in 2004 and she joined the Order of the Divine Will religious group. Juneau County District Attorney Scott Southworth has called the order a cult.

Investigators said a 90-year-old member of the group, Magdeline Alvina Middlesworth, was living with Lewis and Lewis' children at Lewis' home in Necedah.

Court documents say Middlesworth died in March and Lewis kept her remains propped up on the toilet.

I don't doubt that Lewis suffers from "mental abnormalities."

She subjected her 15-year-old daughter and 13-year-old son to a home life that was out of a horror movie.

...According to a criminal complaint, Lewis initially said Middlesworth was on vacation. When pressed, she said she needed to call her "superior" first. Lewis went inside, returned and let the deputy in. The house smelled of incense and hymns played on the stereo.

Lewis told investigators Alan Bushey, the order's leader who calls himself Bishop John Peter, told her to leave Middlesworth's body in the bathroom and pray for God to bring her back to life. But investigators contend Bushey and Lewis kept the body hidden so they could go on collecting Middlesworth's Social Security and annuities.

Lewis, 35, and Bushey, 58, both of Necedah, each face felony counts of being party to causing mental harm to a child and hiding a corpse as well as misdemeanor counts of theft. Lewis also faces a misdemeanor count of obstructing an officer.

I don't see Lewis as a victim here.

Whatever the influence of "Bishop Bushey," she's ultimately responsible for her actions and caring for her children. Failing to provide your children with the use of a bathroom because it's occupied by a corpse for two months is no minor matter.

Lewis will have her day in court and hopefully justice will be done.