Pakistani defendant found unfit for trial

[unhappycamper]

Pakistani defendant found unfit for trial
By Larry Neumeister - The Associated Press
Posted : Monday Nov 17, 2008 18:46:42 EST

NEW YORK — A Pakistani woman accused of trying to kill a U.S. soldier and FBI agents while she was in custody in Afghanistan is mentally unfit for trial, a court-ordered psychological evaluation has determined.

Aafia Siddiqui is unable to understand the nature and consequences of court proceedings and cannot assist properly in her defense, according to the evaluation at the Federal Medical Center Carswell in Fort Worth, Texas.

U.S. District Judge Richard M. Berman in Manhattan described the results in an order sent to attorneys, according to an entry in the case on Monday.

Berman said the evaluation was being filed under seal. He scheduled a conference Wednesday for lawyers to discuss what should happen in the case next, including the possibility of medication being appropriate for Siddiqui’s depression.

Siddiqui was charged with attempted murder and assault after she was accused of grabbing a rifle at a police station in Afghanistan in July and shooting at U.S. Army and law enforcement personnel. She was shot and wounded as well.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/11/ap_siddiqui_trial_111708/%2e