Man sentenced to prison for shooting his mother in Logan nursing home

LOGAN An Ohio man who shot his mother in a Logan County nursing home received his sentence for attempted murder and wanton endangerment.

Wednesday’s sentencing in Logan County Circuit Court followed up on previous guilty pleas from 45-year-old James Biddell, of Chillicothe. He has been in jail ever since he walked into Trinity Healthcare at Bills Branch Road in the Henlawson area and shot his mother, Tomalene Greene. The shooting took place back on October 23, 2023. Greene was a resident of the nursing home at the time when Biddell opened fire. She suffered a gun shot to the chest but survived the shooting. She has since passed away in July.

Biddell left the scene, but he was picked-up on US 119 near Chapmanville.

According to Logan County Prosecutor David Wandling, Biddell previously pleaded guilty to Attempted Murder in the First Degree and Wanton Endangerment. Circuit Court Judge Kelli Gilmore-Codipotti sentenced Biddell to not less than three nor more than fifteen years for the attempted murder charge and a definite five years for the wanton endangerment charge. The sentences run consecutively.

Evidence suggested Biddell intended to take his own life following the shooting but did not follow through with the plan.

PHOTO | SWRJA