Jason Mark Mills ruled competent to stand trial

Jason Mark Mills, 33, of Camden, who is charged with first-degree murder in the death of his wife, Ryan Bennett Mills, 29, of Bruceton, has been ruled competent to stand trial, according to Carroll County General Sessions Judge Larry Logan. Logan had ordered a mental evaluation during Mills’ one court appearance.

The District Attorney’s office and Mills’ court appointed attorney, Billy Roe, have agreed not to set the preliminary hearing date in the case at this time.

Mills is incarcerated in the Carroll County Jail and is being held without bond.

Bruceton Police Chief Ronnie Stewart said the Bruceton Fire Department answered a call to 152 Spruce St. at 2:10 a.m. Feb. 8 where they found the house where Ryan Bennett Mills lived engulfed in flames. 

Her body was discovered inside the residence near the front door. 

Officials said at the time they had reason to believe that she had been strangled before the fire started. Her body was sent to the medical examiner’s office for an autopsy with the results not being released at this time.