Anthony Goodin, 59
KINGMAN – There are new developments in the case involving the man who admitted fatally injuring his wife during a July 12 dispute in the Kingman Walmart parking lot. Appearing by video from the Adult Detention Center, Anthony Goodin, 59, pleaded not guilty to first degree murder during his July 25 arraignment in Kingman.
Judge Doug Camacho granted a defense motion to appoint an expert to conduct a preliminary mental health assessment, and an outside agency has indicated investigative interest in Goodin in a cold case homicide.
Kingman police reports indicate Goodwin himself called 911 and reported that he had harmed his wife. Arriving officers deployed multiple taser rounds to subdue Goodin and effect his arrest before providing emergency medical assistance for the victim.
His 53-year-old wife Lynda Goodin died at Kingman Regional Medical Center of wounds police said were inflicted by a machete that was recovered at the scene of her assault. The murder weapon is described as having a six-inch handle and a blade that is 11 inches long and at least two inches wide.
A representative of the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office in Indiana contacted local law enforcement the day before Goodin was arraigned. Deputy Kingman Police Chief Joel Freed said the man indicated interest in interviewing Goodin about a cold case stabbing homicide in the 1980s.
It has been established that Goodin is an ex-con who served multiple years in prison for assault-related convictions long ago. Goodin was also tried and convicted of the throat slash murder of a schoolteacher in Valdosta, Georgia in 1987.
That conviction and life sentence, however, were overturned on appeal and Goodin was acquitted at his second trial.
Public Defender Paul Amann, in his motion for mental health evaluation, noted that Goodin is both knowledgeable and fixated with religion and the Bible, and accurately cites an abundance of its verses and passages. Amann said he was not able to engage in meaningful dialogue with Goodin during a July 23 visit at the Detention Center.
“It was not possible to maintain a conversation independent of his biblical discourse,” Amann’s motion said. “Defense counsel has reason to believe that Mr. Goodin does not understand the proceedings against him and will be unable to help in his defense.”
Judge Camacho scheduled a Sept. 5 pre-trial conference, providing time for Dr. Lawrence Schiff to conduct the preliminary mental health assessment before the hearing.
Prosecutor Rod Albright said Goodin’s criminal history is being explored.
“There appear to be several cases that are plus-20 years old,” Albright said. He said the Mohave County Attorney’s Office had not determined if it will seek the death penalty.
“He maintains his innocence,” Amann said following arraignment.
Case officer Detective Francisco Alonso’s police report narrative notes that Walmart’s video surveillance system captured the attack, including a 29-second period showing the defendant engaged in “frenzied stabbing motion.”
Supporting narratives drafted by other officers, Alonso’s report indicates Goodin’s various admissions about murdering his wife, including that “Linda was being a witch,” “the wicked must be put to death,” and that “he executed the judgment of God and did what God told him to do.”
Goodin told police that he and Linda had rented a U-Haul in Junction City, Alabama and were traveling to see friends in Yreka, California when they pulled into Kingman more than a week later. He said Linda nagged him about giving a woman $20 of the only $52 they had left for their journey.
Reports said Goodin told police the trouble with their marriage was that Linda failed to submit to her husband and to God. Goodin reportedly sang Biblical verse at the Kingman police station while waiting to be interviewed.
“Anthony asked if Linda had died. I advised Anthony that Linda died,” Alonso’s report said. “Anthony asked if Linda had repented.”
Wednesday would have been the Goodin’s 16th anniversary.
A Bible, Bible notes, two knives and a hatchet were found in the U-Haul while the machete was recovered outside, where dropped by Goodin. He is held on $2 million bond.
Dave Hawkins
