Politics & Government

Government's Experts to Evaluate Muth's Mental Condition

Judge Russell F. Canan agrees to prosecution's request to have its own experts evaluate Georgetown murder suspect Albrecht Muth.

Judge Russell F. Canan reviewed the mental hospital and granted the government's request to have its own experts evaluate Albrecht Muth before his trial, scheduled for October.

Muth, , was found to be not competent to stand trial in the most recent St. Elizabeths medical report. Though the report did indicate he could attain competency in time for trial.

Drath, 91, was ; a medical examiner determined the . A grand jury on the charge of first-degree murder in her death.

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Canan told Muth he was "pleased to see" he was "cooperating" with the team at St. Elizabeths and he was proceeding with treatment that would get him "on track" for trial in October.

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Assistant U.S. Attorney Glen Kirschner requested the government's own experts have access to Muth at St. Elizabeths for competency evaluations. Defense Attorney Dana Page initially objected the evaluations were not timely, but Canan said both the defense and the prosecution had rights to have their own experts make evaluations at any time.

"Given the complexity of this case," said Canan, "it seems reasonable to have either side have additional testing done."

Barring a filing from Page, Canan approved Kirschner's request. The next status conference is scheduled for 10 a.m. June 21.


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