Oppressor
06-07-2008, 09:42 PM
All TNB put in bold text (http://www.charlotte.com/109/story/658232.html)
Artives Freeman stunned the courtroom on the first day of his murder trial. He walked in dressed in a suit and tie – and covered in his own feces.
As lawyers, court staff and deputies watched in disbelief, Superior Court Judge James Morgan questioned the 24-year-old unemployed Charlotte man.
But Freeman – who was representing himself – never said a word.
The judge ordered Freeman committed to Dorothea Dix Hospital in Raleigh for an evaluation to determine if he's competent to stand trial.
Freeman is accused of killing a 46-year-old female acquaintance in 2006 after a disagreement.
In his order, the judge questioned Freeman's capacity to proceed, noting his prior history with mental health problems.
“Defendant has been found to have borderline intellectual functioning or mild mental retardation,” the judge wrote.
The judge ordered Freeman to be examined to determine whether he's suffering from mental illness or defect that prevents him from understanding the charges against him and assisting in his defense.
Morgan questioned the soundness of Freeman's decision to represent himself against the murder charge, particularly after being repeatedly informed about the difficulties he may face in court.
Morgan also cited Freeman's appearance in court.
“While in (a) holding cell prior to (the) call of his cases for trial, defendant covered his face and parts of his hair and clothing with his own feces,” Morgan wrote. “Defendant refused to answer any questions.”
Freeman is charged with murder in the April 2006 slaying of Latahnya Watt Berry. The victim was shot in a house in the Regal Heights neighborhood in west Charlotte.
Witnesses told police they saw two men leave the home, then get into a four-door Lexus a short time after the shooting. The suspects knew Berry, police said, and the slaying appeared to stem from a disagreement.
In April, attorney Eric Bach – who represented Freeman at that time – notified prosecutors that he was considering a defense that Freeman suffers from “mental infirmity” and “diminished capacity” because of mental retardation.
Freeman graduated from Harding University High School in 2002. He was convicted of trespassing in 2004 and of possession of marijuana in 2005. He was placed on probation in 2005 after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit armed robbery.
Freeman was in the Mecklenburg County jail for more than two years awaiting trial, which was set to begin May 27.
After his court appearance, Freeman went back to jail and was taken to see the medical staff. According to a sheriff's report: “He refused to talk to them.”
Smells better than the average nigger: http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2008/06/07/08/185-artives150.standalone.prod_affiliate.57.jpg
Artives Freeman stunned the courtroom on the first day of his murder trial. He walked in dressed in a suit and tie – and covered in his own feces.
As lawyers, court staff and deputies watched in disbelief, Superior Court Judge James Morgan questioned the 24-year-old unemployed Charlotte man.
But Freeman – who was representing himself – never said a word.
The judge ordered Freeman committed to Dorothea Dix Hospital in Raleigh for an evaluation to determine if he's competent to stand trial.
Freeman is accused of killing a 46-year-old female acquaintance in 2006 after a disagreement.
In his order, the judge questioned Freeman's capacity to proceed, noting his prior history with mental health problems.
“Defendant has been found to have borderline intellectual functioning or mild mental retardation,” the judge wrote.
The judge ordered Freeman to be examined to determine whether he's suffering from mental illness or defect that prevents him from understanding the charges against him and assisting in his defense.
Morgan questioned the soundness of Freeman's decision to represent himself against the murder charge, particularly after being repeatedly informed about the difficulties he may face in court.
Morgan also cited Freeman's appearance in court.
“While in (a) holding cell prior to (the) call of his cases for trial, defendant covered his face and parts of his hair and clothing with his own feces,” Morgan wrote. “Defendant refused to answer any questions.”
Freeman is charged with murder in the April 2006 slaying of Latahnya Watt Berry. The victim was shot in a house in the Regal Heights neighborhood in west Charlotte.
Witnesses told police they saw two men leave the home, then get into a four-door Lexus a short time after the shooting. The suspects knew Berry, police said, and the slaying appeared to stem from a disagreement.
In April, attorney Eric Bach – who represented Freeman at that time – notified prosecutors that he was considering a defense that Freeman suffers from “mental infirmity” and “diminished capacity” because of mental retardation.
Freeman graduated from Harding University High School in 2002. He was convicted of trespassing in 2004 and of possession of marijuana in 2005. He was placed on probation in 2005 after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit armed robbery.
Freeman was in the Mecklenburg County jail for more than two years awaiting trial, which was set to begin May 27.
After his court appearance, Freeman went back to jail and was taken to see the medical staff. According to a sheriff's report: “He refused to talk to them.”
Smells better than the average nigger: http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2008/06/07/08/185-artives150.standalone.prod_affiliate.57.jpg