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Teen faces competency hearing in fatal Altoona crash | Des Moines Register Staff BlogsQuote:
Polk County District Associate Judge Cynthia Moisan, responding to a request by the teen’s public defender, last week ordered Sawyers to be evaluated by a Des Moines psychiatrist. The judge found “probable cause that the defendant is suffering from a mental disorder which prevents the defendant from appreciating the charge, understanding the proceedings or assisting effectively in his defense.”
If found to be incompetent, he should serve the same sentence in a mental institution that he would have in a jail.
If the young man is doing college level work, at Iowa Central Community College, he must have something on the ball mentally. To say he doesn't understand the gravity of the charges against him sounds like the public defender looking for anyway out and being aided by a psychiatrist.
I'd be interested to find out why he was in Des Moines. Just visiting, or did he go there with the express intent to steal a vehicle? Very, very sad for all concerned, victim's family and the accused perpetrator.
why does an incompetent person have a drivers license?
Sorry to go a little off subject here, but is it true that the victim's wife was a few cars behind him at the stoplight and witnessed the whole thing? I had somebody tell me that, but have no idea if there's anything to it. If so, that just adds another level of sadness to an already sickening deal.
The vehicle was stolen from an ISU student in west Ames sometime after midnight. I believe there was also a report that the vehicle had been spotted driving recklessly in Des Moines shortly before the accident.Quote:
Originally Posted by cyingreen