An attorney representing an Oak Harbor man accused of murdering his wife may be exploring an insanity or diminished capacity defense.

Attorney Matt Montoya of Island Defense, who is representing Phadell Saddler, filed a motion in Island County Superior Court last week for payment at public expense. He asked for up to $6,000 to have his client evaluated by Psychologist Dr. Wendi Wachsmuth. The judge agreed.

Wachsmuth has testified as an expert witness for both the defense and prosecution in high-profile cases. She testified for the defense in the 2023 trial of Richard Rotter, who was convicted of aggravated first-degree murder in the killing of Everett Police Officer Dan Rocha in March 2022.

Saddler is accused of murdering his wife, Chanell Lynn Saddler, in their Oak Harbor apartment on Oct. 7, 2024. Police claim Saddler had abused his wife in prior months.

Prosecutors charged Phadell Saddler in Island County Superior Court Oct. 10 with murder in the second degree as well as two counts of fourth degree assaults for alleged earlier incidents.

The murder charge includes aggravating factors that allege the crime was part of an ongoing pattern of abuse manifested by multiple incidents over a prolonged period of time and that it was a crime of domestic violence committed within sight of a minor child. If a jury finds him guilty of murder with the aggravating factors, the judge could sentence Saddler to a term beyond the standard sentencing range.

Saddler is being held in jail on $750,000 bail.

Police discovered Chanell Saddler’s body in her bedroom after a caller in a different state reported hearing thirdhand that a man at the address confessed to killing a woman and wanted to shoot himself.