A Lawrence County man asked for a mental evaluation before his trial for bank robbery in Morgan County Circuit Court Tuesday.

His co-defendant pleaded guilty Monday and received a life sentence.

Circuit Judge Sherrie Paler granted the request of Kenny Don Holmes and a motion to continue the trial.

Holmes, 25, of 8842 Lawrence County 434, Trinity, is charged with first-degree robbery at Compass Bank in November 2008.

Police allege Holmes and co-defendant Steven Dale Byerley of Hartselle stole a truck, robbed Compass Bank on Beltline Road and went on a shopping spree Nov. 21, 2008. Police said one of them pointed a gun at the teller. The other handed over a note demanding money.

Decatur Police detectives later received a tip that the two were at La Quinta Inn and had abandoned the truck at Decatur Mall. Police recovered the truck and arrested Holmes and Byerley in separate rooms at the motel.

When caught, Detective Joe Renshaw said, the men had clothing, jewelry and drugs.

Byerley, 40, of 799 Rocksprings Road, pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery and receiving stolen property.

Paler sentenced him as a habitual offender, giving him life for each charge.

The sentences will run concurrently, and Byerley will be eligible for parole.

He has five prior felony convictions, records show.

The judge ordered him to pay $3,643 in restitution.

He is in the county jail awaiting a prison transfer. Holmes remains in jail in lieu of $250,000 bail.