That just isn't how it's done, Max Jul 7, 2008
I don t think you would pass the mental competency test. No vote for you. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
Murderer ruled unfit mentally to die for crime Jul 2, 2008
The order, received by defense attorneys Tuesday, was limited to LeGrande's mental competency. Superior Court Judge Robert Bell said in his order last week that LeGrande is delusional and it "interfere[s] with his appreciation of the nature and object of the proceedings against him."LeGrande, 49, was sentenced to death for the 1993 shooting of Ellen Munford, whose estranged husband recruited LeGrande to commit murder. (News & Observer)
Tuesday, July 1, 2008 Jul 2, 2008
On the mental competency of a pursuit suspect. "(The suspect's) mental competency is being questioned? Let's see: Ability to steal liquor from Safeway Check. Ability to drive his own car in a pursuit and do a hit and run Check. Ability to avoid being tackled by a police officer Check. Ability to steal a police car and lead a second pursuit Check. Ability to participate in his own trial where he might be held responsible for his actions Oops!" Mad Dog. (Lodi News Sentinel, CA)
Cunningham pleads guilty to federal charges Jul 1, 2008
Cunningham did not join her three co-defendants in a trial in April in Davenport after her attorney argued she wouldn't be able to assist in her defense and was awarded a delay so that a mental competency hearing could be held. Her treating psychiatrist in Louisiana, where she has been living, said Cunningham was diagnosed with major depression and was treated for psychosis and couldn't effectively help in her defense. (Sioux City Journal, IO)
Colvilles, state reach deal on inmate funeral leave Jun 30, 2008
"It's so important that our tribal members are able to attend these services, or visit the death bed of a close relative."It's also a way for inmates to feel less isolated from the reservation and their tribe, to help them maintain ties with families and friends," he said.The Corrections Department typically allows furloughs for inmates to visit dying relatives or attend funerals within Washington state, depending on the severity of their crime, behavior while in prison and mental competency,... (Longview Daily News, WA)
JOSEPH H. COOPER: The gangster poll on gun control Jun 29, 2008
"Brought for protection, used it several times (it was a) Saturday night special." But some students did seem to back some gun-control measures, with 42 of the 50 in favor of licensing (for any and all guns), waiting periods and pre-purchase mental competency tests. One student summed up his position best in a written composition on the subject:"I, myself, have been on both ends of the barrel. Neither one is pleasant. One gets a feeling of power and carelessness, and that can end up with someone... (Fresno Bee -- Opinion)
Regional Roundup Jun 28, 2008
Pursuit suspect's mental competency questioned ... Mad Dog wrote on Jun 28, 2008 3:12 AM:" Mr. Martinez's mental competency is being questioned? Let's see: Ability to steal liquor from Safeway- Check. Ability to drive his own car in a pursuit and do a hit and run- Check. Ability to avoid being tackled by a police officer- Check. Ability to steal a police car and lead a second pursuit- Check. Ability to participate in his own trial where he might be held responsible for his actions- Oops! ". (Lodi News Sentinel, CA)
From both ends of the barrel Jun 26, 2008
Some students did seem to back some gun control measures, with 42 in favor of licensing (for all guns), waiting periods and pre-purchase mental competency tests. One student summed up his position best in a written composition. (Albany Times Union)
Prosecutor to ask state to care for teen Jun 20, 2008
The teen's age and mental competency leave the legal system with few alternatives without the dependency petition, Fink said. Right now, because of the psychiatric evaluations, the court can't intervene,'' he said. (Kalamazoo Gazette, MI)
Judge will order Rolle evaluation Jun 14, 2008
In other court proceedings, evaluations generally concern the mental competency of defendants. According to state law, such an evaluation can take place at the Wyoming State Hospital in Evanston, at a local mental health center or at a jail. (Casper Star-Tribune, WY)
Church dance shooter gets 80-years-to-life Jun 10, 2008
Canter said at the time that he saw no reason to declare a doubt as to Hernandez's mental competency. On Monday, Bixby asked Canter to sentence his client concurrently on the attempted murder counts and connected allegations, thereby cutting the sentence in half to 40 years to life. (Santa Maria Times)
Judge says Cunningham is mentally fit to stand trial Jun 6, 2008
Cunningham had not wanted to return to Iowa for the mental competency hearing last month. Instead, she had hoped to remain in Louisiana, where she is undergoing treatment. (Sioux City Journal, IO)
Dalton waives right to jury trial on mental competency Jun 3, 2008
Explore our new online Real Estate site. Palo Alto Online News. (Palo Alto Online, CA)
Daughter mentally ill, 'not evil' – dad May 31, 2008
Pfingst, who confirmed that Heather was adopted, would not discuss whether psychological issues would play a role in her defense or if he would request a mental competency hearing on her behalf. Such hearings are typically held to determine whether certain defendants can understand the court process and assist in their defense. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
County Lines for May 23, 2008 May 23, 2008
Judge Zel Canter said that he saw no reason to declare a doubt as to Hernandez's mental competency, and set sentencing for early next month. Hernandez was convicted of attempted murder and other charges in April by a Santa Maria jury in connection with a shooting outside a church dance in February 2007. (Santa Maria Times)
CIETC attorney wants client's competency hearing closed May 21, 2008
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- The attorney for the former top executive of a now-defunct job training agency wants a mental competency hearing in Des Moines on Friday closed to the public. Romona Cunningham is accused of misspending nearly 2 million in government funds on salaries and bonuses at the Central Iowa Employment and Training Consortium. (Sioux City Journal)
Judge to determine convicted killer's mental competency May 13, 2008
(AP) - A Nashville judge will determine the mental competency of a death row inmate convicted in a series of slayings at fast food restaurants ... Reid has previously asked to drop his appeals and allow his execution to proceed, but his sister has successfully argued to continue his appeals because of questions about his mental competency. (WREG.com, TN)
Mental exam set for man accused of shooting parents Apr 23, 2008
ALLEN PARK A preliminary examination for Justin Jerome Olszowy, 26, charged with killing his parents, has been postponed pending a mental competency examination ... Olszowy's court-appointed attorney and the prosecuting attorney said Monday that they believed a mental competency exam was the necessary next step. (The News-Herald)
Closing arguments given at CIETC trial Apr 22, 2008
She faces numerous charges and was supposed to stand trial this month, but a mental competency hearing has been ordered in her case for next month. On trial are CIETC former chief accountant Karen Tesdell, who is facing 29 fraud and conspiracy charges; Jane Barto, former Iowa Workforce Development deputy director, who faces two counts of conspiracy and obstruction; and former CIETC board member Dan Albritton, who faces a conspiracy count. (Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier)
CIETC officials' relationships emerge in testimony Apr 12, 2008
Cunningham was indicted along with the others, but her trial was delayed after a mental competency hearing was ordered to be held in late May in her case. Her lawyer said she attempted suicide in October and isn't able to assist in her defense. (Sioux City Journal, IO)
Defendant rejects plea offer Apr 9, 2008
A St. Augustine man, recently "restored" to mental competency, rejected an offer on Monday that would have given him life in prison rather than a possible death sentence. David Rama Johnson, 27, will stand trial in October on two counts of first-degree murder with a firearm. (The St. Augustine Record)
CIETC trial opening arguments: 'Case about lies, trickery' Apr 9, 2008
Former CIETC CEO Ramona Cunningham also faces charges but wasn't included in the trial because a judge has ordered a mental competency hearing in late May in her case. In Cunningham's absence, her co-defendants' lawyers blamed her for most of the troubles at the agency, which was shut down after the pay scandal was exposed. (Sioux City Journal)
CIETC pay scandal case goes to trial Apr 7, 2008
Former CIETC CEO Ramona Cunningham was scheduled to go to trial on the same date, but a judge has ordered a mental competency hearing in late May in her case. The government submitted a witness list with 43 names, including former CIETC chief operating officer John Bargman and former board chairman Archie Brooks. (Sioux City Journal, IO)
Convicted wife killer may get new mental competency hearing Mar 29, 2008
Article:Convicted wife killer may get new mental competency hea:/n/a/2008/03/28/state/n111130D62. DTL Article:Convicted wife killer may get new mental competency hea:/n/a/2008/03/28/state/n111130D62 ... Lake County prosecutors say a new mental competency trial would not affect Stanley's 1984 guilty verdict, but it potentially could eliminate his death sentence. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Crime)
Clinton Says Shes In It for the Long Haul Mar 29, 2008
Obviously there are troublesome questions now in circulation about her mental competency. Her thought processes are clearly a mess. (New York Times)
Sick inmatereleased to mom Mar 15, 2008
In February, the 5th District Court of Appeals upheld Maxwell's conviction but ruled that his mental competency should have been reviewed before Circuit Judge James R. Clayton sentenced him to prison last June. Maxwell, who had four previous felony convictions for burglary and grand theft, pleaded no contest in October 2006 to fleeing the scene of the accident that killed 14-year-old Aaron Klothe on Nov. 23, 2005. (Daytona Beach News Journal)
Dalton competency to be decided by trial Feb 29, 2008
The mental competency of James Dalton to stand trial for allegedly killing his brother in Palo Alto last July will be decided by a jury trial, Santa Clara Superior Court Judge Ray Cunningham decided Wednesday ... His attorney, Andrea Ambrosio, raised the issue last fall of his mental competency to stand trial. (Palo Alto Online, CA)
Judge orders release of man involved in Marin coup plot Feb 17, 2008
In September Larson overturned Hoover's conviction for the 1982 murder of Richard Baldwin after finding that prosecutors withheld evidence of Hoover's mental competency. At the time of the murder Hoover was 17 and employed by Mark Richards, a contractor who had dreamt up a plot he called "Pendragon" that sought to replace the county's government with his own version of Camelot. (Fresno Bee -- State)
Family talks about pain, forgiveness at Boose's sentencing Feb 13, 2008
Questions about Boose's mental competency subsequently led to numerous delays. Freeman and family said the unusually lengthy process increased their pain and anxiety. (Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier)
Judge Orders Competency Exam For SDSU Rape Suspect Feb 9, 2008
SAN DIEGO -- A judge Thursday ordered a mental competency examination for a man accused of punching and trying to rape an 18-year-old San Diego State University student on a second-floor staircase landing in her dormitory. . (NBCSandiego.com, CA)
SD Judge Orders Competency Exam For Man Accused Of Rape Feb 8, 2008
SAN DIEGO -- A judge Thursday ordered a mental competency examination for a man accused of punching and trying to rape an 18-year-old San Diego State University student on a second-floor staircase landing in her dormitory. Wayne Lamont Swingler, 33, is charged with one felony count each of assault with intent to commit rape and false imprisonment and misdemeanor sexual battery. (NBC4.tv, CA)
Driver who killed boy to get new sentencing Feb 5, 2008
Wendall Maxwell, 26, should have been given another review of his mental competency before he was sentenced to prison last June by Circuit Judge James S. Clayton, according to the decision by the 5th District Court of Appeal. "When criminal proceedings are held against a mentally incompetent defendant, the defendant's constitutional right of due process is denied," the appellate court wrote in the decision released Friday. (Daytona Beach News Journal)
Neighbor pleads not guilty to arson Feb 2, 2008
Yavorcik said he planned to ask the court to order a mental competency evaluation for Davis. Police have declined to discuss a motive for the fire that started the morning of Jan. 23. (USA Today)
Chain saw victim ‘doing better' after pneumonia scare Jan 30, 2008
He said the question of mental competency was prompted by a statement Watkins made at his initial arraignment last week. When (Watkins) was brought to court on Wednesday, he said he was in the shower and the electricity came up out of the drain, and he had to do what he had to do, Sterner said. (Fulton Sun, MO)
DA requests third mental evaluation of Dalton Jan 24, 2008
James Dalton, the Palo Alto man charged with killing his brother last July, will be evaluated by a third psychologist or psychiatrist to determine his mental competency to stand trial. Dalton appeared briefly in court in San Jose today to hear the request by the district attorney that a third evaluation be done. (Palo Alto Online, CA)
Fatal crash suspect's mental competence questioned Jan 23, 2008
VISTA -- A mental competency examination was ordered Tuesday for a Phoenix man accused of slamming a stolen car into a pickup truck during a police chase in Carlsbad, killing the other driver. Karl Russell, 30, will return to court Feb. 22, when a judge will determine whether he understands the charges against him and can assist his attorney at trial. (North County Times)
Legal moves in Wells case Jan 20, 2008
Her mental competency -- she has been diagnosed with a bipolar disorder -- is expected to be an issue in the Wells case. Diehl-Armstrong mailed a four-page handwritten letter asking for a new lawyer to the judge assigned the Wells case, U.S. District Judge Sean J. McLaughlin, who docketed it Friday. (Erie Times-News, PA)
There's a streak of determination in them Jan 19, 2008
They entered themselves into discussions about "Greatest This" and "Greatest That." They had normally sober-minded and thoroughly responsible people saying things about them that would put the analysts in danger of having their mental competency questioned had they been suggested back in August. They had a season such as no one has seen in 35 years, and they did it under a far different set of circumstances, on and off the field. (Boston Globe)
Man Accused Of Stabbing Barber Over Haircut Enters Plea Jan 5, 2008
A judge ordered a mental competency examination for Schwartz. He is being held without bail. (NBCSandiego.com, CA)
Suspect arraigned in rape attempt Dec 14, 2007
Samuel Prado, 23, arrived in Boston about two weeks ago from New York City, according to a court psychologist who evaluated the suspect for mental competency. Based on the psychologist's evaluation, a Brookline District Court judge ruled that Prado was capable of standing trial. (Boston Globe)
Man, 81, guilty in synagogue murder Dec 7, 2007
Benayer acted as his own lawyer, with help from attorney Christopher Haddad, who asked that Benayer be re-evaluated for mental competency before sentencing. Circuit Judge Richard Wennet scheduled a hearing for Friday on that issue. (MSNBC -- Crime)
Brooke Astor's son and lawyer indicted Nov 27, 2007
JPMorgan Chase, the court-appointed guardian of Astor's assets, raised questions in a report last year about her mental competency in 2003. That year, Astor signed documents transferring $3. (International Herald Tribune)
Man forced to wear spit mask deemed competent for trial Nov 17, 2007
In August, Barrett was ordered to have his mental competency examined after he defecated in a holding cell and on himself and threw feces on a deputy. Using his own excrement, he "painted" a mural of a city skyline on the holding cell wall, according to court records. (Daytona Beach News Journal)
Man accused of murder found competent - Report states Andrews no longer shows signs of mental illness Nov 9, 2007
The criminal case against Andrews had been put on hold but it will now continue since he has obtained mental competency. . (Durant Daily Democrat, OK)
Mental competency of fallen former legislator leaves friends, foes puzzled Oct 23, 2007
U.S. Attorney Sheldon Sperling says federal prosecutors will let the facts determine where the case goes in regard to the mental competency issue ... Brewster said it is premature to speculate on how the mental competency issue could affect the cases against Stipe, but said it is obvious that one has to have criminal intent to commit a crime. (Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise, OK)
Impact of Stipe’s incompetency unclear Oct 18, 2007
Judge Ronald White has granted a continuance in a mental competency hearing for Stipe until Nov. 5 to find a qualified psychologist to evaluate Stipe. . (Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise, OK)
Ex-Senator found mentally incompetent Oct 17, 2007
White granted a continuance in the mental competency hearing until Nov. 5. The judge will be left with making a decision on that issue based on a myriad of evidence, Brewster said. (Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise, OK)
The Bennett Law Firm: Can't the Chronicle Get a Correction Correct? Oct 4, 2007
The story fails to mention that all of the statements quoted were from over a year ago and are attributable to the litigated issue of mental competency. Circumstances continuously change in any criminal case and those statements made are not applicable to the current state of the case. (PR Newswire)
Preliminary Hearing In Realtor's Death Begins Oct 3, 2007
Jennison was recently evaluated for his mental competency, but was found to be fit to face the murder charge against him. The defendant appeared to be emaciated when he walked into the courtroom. (TheSanDiegoChannel.com, CA)
Stipe reports to federal prison for mental exam Sep 11, 2007
(AP) _ Former state Senator Gene Stipe is now at a federal prison medical center in Missouri for a mental competency exam ... The 80-year-old Stipe was ordered to undergo a mental competency exam by federal Judge Ronald White during a probation revocation hearing on August 28th. (FOX23.com, OK)
Hospitalized Man Accused Of Killing Wife Gets Visit From Judge Sep 9, 2007
When that occurs, county doctors and psychiatrists will evaluate Brown for mental competency to stand trial. Linda got a restraining order against Curtis after a brutal attack last month. (NBCSandiego.com, CA)
Goudeau convicted of rape Sep 8, 2007
However, before that trial begins, Goudeau is scheduled to appear in court Monday for a legal evaluation of his mental competency. The remaining charges. (AZCentral -- News)
Court rules Stipe won’t have to go immediately to federal medical unit Sep 7, 2007
Gene Stipe does not have to immediately report to a federal prison medical center for a mental competency evaluation. The Denver-based court granted Stipe s request to stay a ruling from a district judge who delayed Stipe s parole revocation hearing and ordered that the longtime legislator s mental state be evaluated. (Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise, OK)
Attorneys seek to divert Stipe from mental exam Sep 6, 2007
Gene Stipe asked a federal judge on Tuesday to reconsider sending Stipe out of state for a mental competency exam ... Brewster said affidavits attesting to Stipe s mental competency were filed Tuesday by two doctors, himself and Michael Burrage, another Stipe lawyer. (Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise, OK)
Judge ordered exam out of concern that Stipe may not be competent Aug 31, 2007
August 31, 2007 - 5:42 AM Sub-Navigation. Last Update: 8/30 8:02 am. (FOX23.com, OK)
Springfield school killer denied new trial Aug 8, 2007
Kinkel argued his original defense attorneys and the trial judge should have ordered a mental competency evaluation before going ahead with the plea bargain. But a lawyer for the attorney general's office argued during a two-day hearing in June that Kinkel understood what was happening and was intelligent enough to calculate that his best chance for a reduced sentence was the plea deal. (KGW Northwest NewsChannel 8, OR)
Man Regains Speech After Brain Stimulation Aug 2, 2007
The researchers received consent to operate from his parents but said that an ethical framework must be developed to accommodate patients like this, whose mental competency could change by the day. The man now has the device turned on 12 hours a day, and is very much a presence in his room, when he was not before. (New York Times)
Ex-cram school student admits to killing, dismembering sister Jul 31, 2007
"I don't think there are any mistakes" in the indictment, Yuki Muto, a former cram school student, told the court, while his defense team showed readiness to argue his mental competency. According to the indictment, Muto drowned his sister Azumi, a 20-year-old junior college student, in the bathroom of their home in Tokyo on Dec. 30, and then cut up her body with a knife and a saw. (News on Japan, Japan)
Judge delays Winkler trial Jul 28, 2007
"They've had continuances before, but it's not usually at the last hour." In addition to jury qualification Monday, a psychiatrist was also supposed to provide a brief report updating the court on Winkler's mental competency. Winkler was deemed competent to stand trial at a separate hearing two months ago, Hembree said. (Loris Scene, SC)
Judge Orders Mental Exam For Man Accused In Realtor Slaying Jul 25, 2007
-- A judge Tuesday ordered a mental competency examination for a Lakeside man accused in the shooting death of a real estate agent who visited his home in February ... A hearing on Jennison's mental competency was set for Aug. 31 at the downtown courthouse. (TheSanDiegoChannel.com, CA)
Firefighter charged in child abduction that prompted Amber Alert Jul 12, 2007
A judge ordered that Underkofler undergo a mental competency evaluation, and set cash bail at $15,000. Underkofler is a 25-year veteran of the Madison Fire Department. (Brainerd Daily Dispatch)
Wife, son charged in Faulkner County man's slaying Jul 11, 2007
Ronnie Barker told Clawson he had been in mental facilities for four years, and the judge ordered prosecutors to have his mental competency evaluated. Pretrial hearings for both defendants are scheduled for October 12th. (KSLA.com, LA)
Accused killer planned suicide for a year Jun 29, 2007
Washoe District Judge Steven Kosach, after hearing from Higgs' defense lawyers in a brief hearing Wednesday, ruled that mental competency was not a concern despite the suicide attempt. Higgs is being held in jail on a suicide watch. (CNN -- Law)
Two jury seats remain Jun 1, 2007
He made a motion that a juror be excused for cause based on mental competency. Dubs vehemently objected, referring to Bellas' scrutiny of questioning of the juror as a umiliating cross-examination. (Lenoir News Topic, NC)
Carroll man failed to register as sex offender May 30, 2007
Floyd is undergoing a court-ordered 30 day mental competency evaluation. Harrison Daily Times 2007. (Buffalo Reflex, MO)
