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Weilbacher to undergo mental evaluation
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Posted on Apr 08 2019
Hitler Sam Weilbacher will undergo mental evaluation in May to determine whether he is competent enough to stand trial for allegedly stealing two vehicles.
During a status conference last Wednesday, acting chief prosecutor Heather Barcinas informed the court that their hired psychiatric expert will arrive either on the first or second week of May to conduct the evaluation on Weilbacher, 21.
Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph Camacho scheduled a follow-up status conference on July 17, 2019, to discuss the results of the evaluation.
According to Saipan Tribune archives, chief public Defender Doug Hartig, representing Weilbacher, asked the Superior Court back in 2017 to appoint California-based psychiatrist Dr. Martin Blinder or another forensic psychologist to perform a competency evaluation on Weilbacher.
Camacho granted Hartig’s request but with the condition that the fee not exceed $1,500.
Hartig said that during a Nov. 17, 2017, hearing, Weilbacher appeared to have difficulty understanding the proceedings and was having difficulty communicating with him and Associate Judge Wesley Bogdan.
Hartig said he is of the opinion that Weilbacher cannot meaningfully assist in his own defense.
He disclosed that Weilbacher was diagnosed with mental illness earlier in 2017, and that Blinder found Weilbacher to be incompetent to stand trial in a previous criminal case.
Police arrested Weilbacher in Nov. 16, 2017, shortly after he allegedly stole a Toyota 4-Runner from a parking lot of a store on Capital Hill.
Police also arrested him in June 2017 at Hopwood Middle School in Chalan Piao, where a stolen Toyota Highlander was recovered and later returned to the owner.
