30-year-old James Jordan was charged on Monday with murder and assault in a machete attack that killed a hiker and severely wounded another along the Appalachian Trail... According to court documents, a visibly disturbned Jordan approached four hikers who'd made camp along the trail in (with) Wythe County, Virginia last Friday evening.

It's alleged that he threatened to pour gasoline on their tents and burn them to death.

Two of the hikers fled, but Jordan allegedly attacked the other two with what one of them described as a machete… One of the victims - a woman - played dead and later managed to flee the scene, joining the other two.

After hiking six miles, the three survivors were able to call authorities who later took Jordan into custody.

Officials found the fourth member of the group dead at the scene… Last month, Jordan was arrested in Tennessee after he allegedly threatened hikers on the trail.

He pleaded guilty to drug possession and providing false identification.

He received probation but ended up back on the trails.

The Magistrate Judge on Monday ordered Jordan to be detained and to undergo a psychiatric evaluation…