Thomas Steele faces two capital murder charges, while a state psychiatrist is expected to evaluate whether he is competent to proceed.
MOBILE, Ala. — A judge denied bond Tuesday for a 47-year-old Mobile man charged with capital murder in the deaths of his grandmother and aunt, keeping him jailed as the case moves toward a court-ordered evaluation of his mental competency.
Thomas Steele faces two capital murder charges after Mobile police said two women were found dead Monday inside a home in the 2400 block of Carolina Court. Prosecutors identified the women as Steele’s grandmother and aunt and said he lived at the home with them. Court documents allege that a chainsaw was used in the killings. Authorities have not released a motive, and the victims’ names had not been publicly released as of Wednesday.
Officers were called to the Carolina Court home at about 1:36 p.m. Monday for a death investigation, according to the Mobile Police Department. Police said they found two women dead inside the residence and detained Steele at the scene. Investigators later alleged that a male family member intentionally caused the deaths with a bladed instrument. Steele was arrested and taken to the Mobile County Metro Jail.
A criminal complaint filed Tuesday provided a more specific allegation, accusing Steele of using a chainsaw to kill both women shortly before police arrived. The allegations remain unproven, and Steele has not been convicted of the charges against him. Investigators have not publicly described what may have led to the killings.
Steele appeared in court Tuesday for a bond hearing. When the judge asked whether he had an attorney, Steele said he did not, and the court appointed a public defender. The hearing later continued without Steele after he made an audible remark and was removed from the courtroom without incident. The judge denied bond on both capital murder charges.
The next major issue in the case is expected to be Steele’s competency to participate in the criminal proceedings. Mobile County District Attorney Keith Blackwood said a psychiatrist with the Alabama Department of Mental Health will evaluate Steele. A competency examination is intended to determine whether a defendant is presently able to understand the proceedings and assist in his defense; it does not determine whether the defendant committed the charged offenses.
Blackwood said the evaluation could take as long as 90 days. He said the process will first address Steele’s present ability to proceed before questions about his mental state at the time of the alleged crimes are considered. Prosecutors have not announced the results of any psychiatric examination, and no finding about Steele’s competency has been made public.
The competency issue adds a procedural step to a case that moved rapidly from a homicide investigation Monday afternoon to capital murder charges and a no-bond ruling the following day. Police have released few details beyond the allegations contained in their statement and court records, and authorities have not announced a suspected motive.
Steele remained in custody without bond Wednesday. The investigation is continuing, and the timing of further court proceedings may depend in part on the completion and findings of the ordered mental health evaluation.
Author note: Last updated October 14, 2026.