From Staff Reports

ASHEVILLE, N.C. —The state requested its own mental health evaluation for Dillon James Curtis — the man accused of attacking a female runner at Bent Creek Experimental Forest — during a July 27 hearing in Buncombe County court here.

Curtis, 29, was arrested on May 23 on suspicion of assault on a female, false imprisonment, interfering with emergency communication and communicating threats. On May 24, he also was charged with second-degree kidnapping.

Curtis, whose first court appearance was in May, was not present in the courtroom on July 27. 

Following are details on the background and status of the case: 

• The incident: On May 21, Curtis allegedly followed and assaulted Asheville outdoor content creator Emily Sutherland on a trail in Bent Creek Experimental Forest.

• Current charges: Curtis was indicted on July 6 for attempted second-degree kidnapping, assault on a female, interfering with emergency communications, and communicating threats.

• Custody and next steps: He is being held without bond, and his next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 17.

Curtis’ family reportedly has publicly shared that he suffers from severe mental health issues, has detached from reality, and that they sought psychiatric help for him for nearly a decade

Meanwhile, News 13’s “Comment Bubble” appearing after its July 27 story included the following assertions:

• ILUVICE “The liberal knew exactly what he was doing. 

“It’s now punishment time .

“You Democrats may  want to look up the definition.” 

• FarmerTed — “Wouldn’t it be nice if we had a healthcare system that provided intervention and care for the mentally ill before they committed crimes and hurt people?”

• .FAFO — “It’s called an insane asylum. Bring them back.”