Savard, 37, of Knox, is charged with homicide, a specially-classified offense; aggravated assault, a first-degree felony; and simple assault, a first-degree misdemeanor in the July 5, 2007, stabbing death of Jennifer Mae O’Neil, 31, with whom he shared a Best Avenue home.

The most recent developments in the case include a request from Savard’s attorney, public defender Padmini Menu, for court-ordered mental evaluation of Savard to determine if he has the mental understanding of the charges against him and to determine his mental condition the night he allegedly stabbed O’Neil to death.

Clarion County Judge of Common Pleas James Arner approved that request and an examination of Savard was set for April 1 in Pittsburgh .

However, Menu filed a motion with court to have the examination conducted at the Clarion County Jail after the examination in Pittsburgh was canceled.

“(D)uring the evaluation, the sheriff and/or deputies (who transported Savard to Pittsburgh were ordered) to wait in the waiting room so the defendant and (the doctor) could have a confidential evaluation,” wrote Menu in a petition to the court.

The petition continued, “But due to concerns about security, (the deputies) would not permit the defendant to be out of their sight during the evaluation. As a result, the examination could not be completed according to the requirements of the doctor and the examination was canceled and the defendant was returned to the Clarion County Jail.”

The county was billed $925 for the doctor’s time during the canceled appointment, although one preliminary test was completed.

The cost comes from the public defender office budget.

Arner approved the request for another examination to be performed at the county jail. The same Pittsburgh-based doctor will bill the county for $275 per hour – for approximately  six to nine hours, including travel time – and for mileage.

The examination at the jail will be conducted away from any law enforcement officers and jail guards.

Aaron May 5 filed a request for a separate examination to be performed a doctor picked by the prosecution and Arner approved that request May 7.

“I expect the defendant’s mental condition to be a significant issue at the trial,” said Aaron. “We’ve asked for our mental evaluation to be performed on the defendant and that has been granted. Obviously, we cannot proceed until those evaluations have been completed.”

Aaron and Knox Borough Police Chief Stephen Bilunka sent May 8 in Erie reviewing evidence related to the case at the state police crime laboratory.

Savard is being held without bond at the Clarion County Jail.