Judge Rules Joe Gentz Competent to Stand Trial in Jane Bashara Homicide
A second competency evaluation completed by a private doctor found similar findings to that of the state doctor regarding Joe Gentz, who is charged in the January strangulation death of Jane Bashara.
By
Sara Eaton Martin, the author, 3:28 pm
While Joe Gentz does have some intellectual deficits, none are so severe as to impact his decisions and understanding of the charges he is facing in the January strangulation death of Jane Bashara, according to findings by a second, private forensic psychologist who evaluated him.
The findings were released Wednesday afternoon in 36th District Court by Gentz's court-appointed attorney, Susan Reed. The psychologist, Charles R. Clark, found that Gentz does not exhibit signs of bipolar disorder, which had been a diagnosis earlier in his life. Nor does Gentz exhibit signs of psychosis or other psychiatric impairments, according to the findings Reed read in court.
Gentz demonstrated behavior and attention during the evaluation that the doctor considered normal and while "intellectual deficiencies do impact his life" none are so extreme that he does not understand his environment.
"(Gentz) is capable of making reasonable choices," Reed read from Clark's report, which went on to say he recalls the events associated with Jane Bashara, he understands the charges against him and has an elementary understanding of his rights.
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Chief Judge of 36th District Court Kenneth J. King agreed with the findings of both doctors, declaring Gentz competent to stand trial. He scheduled a hearing for the preliminary exam in the case for Aug. 13.
After the hearing, Reed said outside the courthouse that now she intends to begin negotiations with the prosecutor's office on behalf of Gentz. She said negotiations have not begun thus far because of the pending competency evaluations. She requested the second evaluation to ensure Gentz protection if he had indeed had a psychological problem.
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More at the Source: http://grossepointe.patch.com/artic...etent-to-stand-trial-in-jane-bashara-homicide
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