Woman Accused In Husband's Death Ordered For Mental Health Check

HOUSTON — A 69-year-old woman who is accused of stabbing her 64-year-old husband to death in April 2018, will undergo a mental health evaluation after she allegedly set her house on fire when police came to arrest her, officials said.

The incident was reported Friday at about 9:40 a.m. in the 9900 block of Valley Wind Drive in northeast Houston.

Houston Police were at the home with an arrest warrant for Janet Alexander, when she allegedly set the house and herself on fire.

Police officers managed to pull her from the home and firefighters arrived minutes later, officials said.

Janet Alexander is accused of stabbing her husband Lionel during a violent argument on April 28, 2018.

Janet Alexander had non-life threatening stab wounds and cuts on her body when police came to the home last year. Police said she claimed self-defense and that the argument between her and her husband escalated.

According to the autopsy report, Lionel Alexander was stabbed more than 80 times, KTRK reported.

Despite the self-defense claims, a Harris County grand jury found evidence to indict Janet Alexander for her husband’s murder.

Alexander was treated on Friday at an area hospital and booked into the Harris County Jail. A mental evaluation will determine if she is competent to stand trial.

Send your news tips and story ideas to bryan.kirk@patch.com