A capital murder defendant accused last year of killing Dustin Grimes and kidnapping Grimes’ wife in a Lawrence County home invasion claims he suffered from a mental defect at the time and last week asked a judge for a mental evaluation, a request that was granted Friday.
Jordan Cesar Hernandez, 36, was apprehended Nov. 5, the day after the alleged home invasion, after leading multiple law enforcement agencies in a chase before crashing his vehicle east of Calvary Assembly of God, off Alabama 20, according to the Decatur Police Department. Police said Hernandez shot a firearm at pursuing vehicles.
Grimes’ wife was allegedly kidnapped during the home invasion before later escaping while being forced to withdraw money from an ATM, according to testimony from a Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) investigator at a preliminary hearing last year for Auburn Renee Moore of New Hope.
Moore, 36, and Asia Schontelle Hubbard, 27, of Decatur, are charged with murder, first-degree kidnapping and first-degree robbery for their alleged roles in the home invasion. Moore shared an open-marriage relationship with Grimes and his wife, according to testimony.
On Wednesday, Hernandez moved the court for a “mental and/or psychiatric evaluation” through his attorney, Tony Hughes.
“At the time of the incident and/or days leading up to the alleged incident, the Defendant … labored under a mental disease and/or defect,” the motion reads.
“Thus, the Defendant … did not understand and/or appreciate the consequences of the alleged criminal conduct against him.”
Circuit Judge Callie Waldrep granted the motion Friday and ordered Hernandez to be examined by the Alabama Department of Mental Health. Once complete, the examining psychiatrist or psychologist will submit a written report to the court.
“Our team is working to explore every avenue in our defense to these allegations made against Mr. Hernandez,” said Hughes in an email. “This motion is part of our determination to explore each and every aspect of this case.”
In August, Hernandez moved the court to compel prosecutors to disclose any deals, promises or inducements made with any witnesses or informants.
“Alabama law specifically requires the State to provide the defense any evidence of a promise of leniency toward or a benefit to a witness or someone known to the witness (such as a spouse),” the motion reads. Waldrep granted the request.
Also in August, Hernandez moved the court to compel prosecutors to disclose records related to the grand jury who indicted him.
“Hernandez expects to challenge his indictment on a number of grounds relating to the propriety of the grand jury proceedings, including the racial and gender composition of the grand jury and race and gender discrimination in the selection of the grand jury foreperson,” the motion reads.
In a response motion, District Attorney Errek Jett said no transcript or recording of the grand jury proceedings was created but provided the names of grand jury members to the defense.
“Undersigned notes for the record that contacting these grand jury members and inquiring about the presentation of the evidence may be in conflict with the laws of the State of Alabama and the Rules of Professional Responsibility,” Jett wrote.
Hernandez remained in the Colbert County Jail on Monday without bond. He was transferred there from the Lawrence County Jail in July after he was allegedly assaulted by two inmates. Grimes’ father, Mickey Grimes, was also an inmate at the Lawrence County Jail at the time of Hernandez’s alleged assault.
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Moore and Hubbard
Moore livestreamed her arrest by the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team from a house in Decatur the evening of Nov. 4. She remained in the Lawrence County Jail on Monday with no bond.
Moore’s case was bound over to a grand jury in December, according to court records. On Friday, no indictment appeared for Moore in the court system; however, her attorney on Aug. 21 filed a motion to set bond wherein he indicated Moore was indicted by a June grand jury session.
Waldrep denied the motion on Aug. 26, indicating bonds for all charges were set in Moore’s indictment.
Moore is also facing criminal charges in Madison County. She was indicted by a Madison County grand jury in July on charges of first-degree robbery and first-degree theft stemming from an alleged incident in October 2022. She is accused of stealing thousands of dollars, several firearms, prescription medication and other items from a man.
For her alleged role in Grimes’ death, Hubbard was not arrested until June 18 following a grand jury indictment. Her bond was set at $130,000, according to court records, and she was released from jail on June 21. She has pleaded not guilty.
In June, the father one of Hubbard’s children was granted sole custody of the child, according to a custody decree issued by Waldrep.
According to the decree, Hubbard refused to cooperate with the Department of Human Resources to visit the child, had “numerous no-shows” for drug screens, tested positive for drugs on more than one occasion, and behaved erratically.
“It is clear that the child is not safe in her care, and the paternal families are not safe to supervise visits between her and her children,” Waldrep wrote. Hubbard was permitted to have two hours per week of supervised visits at a secure visitation center.
On Aug. 29, Hubbard petitioned the court to find the father in contempt, claiming he has refused to cooperate with her to set up child visitation.
Waldrep set the matter for a Dec. 9 hearing.
— [email protected] or 256-340-2438.
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