Defense attorneys are seeking a psychiatric evaluation for a 28-year-old man accused of killing the father of two Tishomingo County politicians.

Joshua Vandiver is charged with murder in the June 22 killing Hezzie Whitlock of Iuka.

The 91-year-old victim, killed in his own home, was the father of Sheriff Glenn Whitlock and Tax Collector Paul Whitlock.

Vandiver is the grandson of Hezzie Whitlock’s wife, Jean Whitlock, who was home when her husband was shot to death.

Vandiver was charged on June 23 and has remained jailed under a $500,000 bond. He was arraigned Thursday in Lee County Circuit Court.

Shelton says Vandiver “will remain in Lee County because of the sensitivity of the situation.”