Clark D. Nolan, Accused Of Imprisoning And Assaulting Wife, Found Competent To Stand Trial

Elaine Nolan Escaped From House After Night Of Beatings, Death Threats, Sequatchie Officer Reported

  • Saturday, March 17, 2018
  • Judy Frank
Clark Nolan
Clark Nolan

A Graysville, Tn., man who allegedly strangled, assaulted and threatened to kill his wife while holding her prisoner in their home is competent to stand trial, according to two forensic evaluators.

Psychologist Robert W. Brown Jr. and forensic coordinator Todd Wiggins reported to Sequatchie County General Sessions Court that they evaluated Clark Dean Nolan on charges of aggravated assault, domestic assault and false imprisonment. Their conclusion, they said, is that “a defense of insanity cannot be supported.”

In January, a grand jury indicted Nolan on multiple kidnapping, assault and weapons violations charges.

Nolan, 55, was arrested Nov. 5, just hours after his wife, Chryale Elaine Nolan, escaped from their house at 455 Snyder Loop Road shortly after noon. Mrs. Nolan ran to the home of a relative seeking help, police reports indicate, and 911 was called.

“Elaine Nolan said . . . (her husband) had been beating on her all night,” Sgt. Gary Craft of the Sequatchie County Sheriff’s Department, said in his affidavit of complaint. “(She said Nolan) had a .22 caliber rifle and stuck it to her head and threatened to kill her.” “Defendant then fired the rifle off inside the house,” Sgt. Craft wrote.

Further, he noted, Mrs. Nolan reported that her husband threatened to burn the house down. “He would set pieces of handkerchief on fire,” according to Sgt. Craft’s report. “She would stomp them out.”

Emergency medical personnel were called, the report noted, and Mrs. Nolan was transported to Sequatchie Erlanger.In their report, the forensic evaluators told Sessions Court Judge Thomas Austin that they believe that “at the time of the alleged commission of the acts constituting the offenses, Mr. Nolan was able to appreciate the nature and wrongfulness of such acts.”

“We have concluded that Mr. Nolan has  sufficient present ability to consult with his attorney with a reasonable degree of rational understanding,” they wrote, “and a rational as well as factual understanding of the proceedings against him.”

Breaking News
Latest Hamilton County Arrest Report
  • 3/28/2024

Here is the latest Hamilton County arrest report: ADERHOLT, FELICIA DAWN 1110 ST CLAIR ST DUNLAP, 37327 Age at Arrest: 37 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Booked for Previous ... more

Signal Mountain Must Determine How To Use Remainder Of ARPA Funds
  • 3/27/2024

The town of Signal Mountain has $358,637 remaining from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds it received and there must be a plan in place by the end of the year for how the money will be ... more

Chattanooga Man Gets 21-Year Sentence For Fentanyl Death Of 19-Year-Old
Chattanooga Man Gets 21-Year Sentence For Fentanyl Death Of 19-Year-Old
  • 3/27/2024

A 25-year-old Chattanooga man, was sentenced to 21 years in federal prison for supplying drugs that led to the death of 19-year-old Charlotte Gallant. Jonathan Bash appeared before Judge Curtis ... more