Suspect in fake money case found to be incompetent

A psychiatrist has determined that one of the persons accused of passing fake bills to some stores on Saipan is incompetent to stand trial.

Assistant Public Defender Douglas W. Hartig stated that Dr. Ron Meister, a mental health professional, has found Lucas Manglona to be incompetent to stand trial.

In his motion for Manglona’s unconditional release, Hartig said: “If the court finds…there is substantial likelihood that he will regain his competency within 90 days, the court shall order him committed to an evaluation facility or treatment facility for custody, care and treatment up to 30 days.”

Dr. Meister examined Manglona as part of proceedings in the U.S. District Court for the NMI where the defendant also has a pending case related to fake money.

Manglona is charged with one count of counterfeiting in the local court. The case is set for jury trial on June 8, 2009.

Superior Court Associate Judge David A. Wiseman yesterday ordered the prosecution and the defense to be ready to proceed with the evidentiary hearing on May 12 at 9am.

The sole purpose of the hearing is to determine Manglona’s competency to stand trial or to be proceeded against.

Wiseman said he will not order a separate psychiatric examination since Dr. Meister had already examined the suspect.

Last March, U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Alex R. Munson allowed Manglona to retain the services of Dr. Meister to examine his ability to stand trial.

Robert Torres, lawyer for Manglona in the federal court case, cited the Office of Probation’s pretrial services report, indicating that Manglona has been receiving prescriptions for psychotropic drugs.

Torres said the substance of the report strongly suggests that his client suffers from paranoid schizophrenia and, at the very least, warrants a competency determination by a forensic psychiatrist.

The lawyer said he previously represented Manglona in a criminal case before the Superior Court several years ago.

At that time, he said, Manglona was examined by a forensic psychiatrist and was found to be incompetent to stand trial, much less assist his attorney.

Manglona, his brother Nestor Camacho Taitano, and Kisha Lyn Masga King were arrested for using fake money to defraud at least four establishments.

Taitano and King had already entered a guilty plea in federal court.