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Seard_Continued from 1Ato be unfit for trial.The competency trial Monday before Abies was scheduled following an October hearing where a report by Dr. Michael Jumes of North Texas State Hospital indicated that Seard was ready to face the charges. Prosecutors and defense attorneys opted to waive the originally planned competency trial by jury.Schizophrenia diagnosisUnder questioning from Defense Attorney Kurt Rudkin, several psychiatrists said that Seard has shown improvement, including better factual knowledge of his legal situation and behavioral control, but he cannot help his attorneys defend him. Psychiatrists Dr. Richard Coons, Dr. Daneen Milam and Dr. Raleigh Wood individually testified that Seard suffers from paranoid schizophrenia and was subject to delusion.“Mr. Seard indicated to me ... he believes there is a presence in his life, and has been, which has caused him to be, as he put, ‘the evilest in existence,’” said Coons, who said he interviewed Seard for three hours Sunday at Kerr County Jail. “That belief system has taken precedence over other things in his life. ”Later Coons said, “I’m quite convinced he has some very distressing ideas that are firmly embedded in his belief system that adversely affect his ability to protect himself and to defend himself. ”Coons and Milam both said Seard could not be found competent to stand trial unless his mental illness is treated with medication. According to Coons’ testimony, Seard hasn’t taken medicine for three months.District Attorney Bruce Curry asked Coons if Seard could reach competency with proper medication.“There is a possibility, but there is not a substantial probability hewill be deemed competent in the foreseeable future,” Coons said.Milam’s testimony agreed withCoons.“Without medication, he’s never going to come out of the delusional state,” said Milam, who said she examined Seard for about 16 hours in preparation for the competency trial.X ■, .Inability to work with attorneysA major factor in judging Seard’s competency rests with whether he can assist his attorneys in preparing his defense.Testifying for the prosecution, Jumes said Seard understood the consequences of the pending criminal proceedings.“He basically deferred to legal counsel and told me his lawyer told him not to talk about it,” Jumes said.Under cross-examination from Defense Attorney Harold Dan-ford, Jumes said he did not consult with Seard’s attorneys to find out if he communicated with them.Milam said that Seard can’t make a rational decision concerning his legal situation.“The entire time he’s in with me, he wants to be found competent, he wants to stand trial so he can explain himself,” Milam said. “He understands the legal issues, but cannot help his defense.... He truly believes that God is going to come in and change the outcome. ”Milam said that every time she has interviewed Seard, his version of the events leading up to his arrest change.“His understanding of all this is very superficial,” she said.Assistant District Attorney Lucy Cavazos asked Milam if Seard knew the facts when he confessed to the double murder in a video confession to law enforcement.“He knew what happened, according to that date,” Milam said. “Each time, his story was different.”Gerard MacCrossan may be reached at gerard.maccrossanOdailytlmes.com.
Newspaper Details
Kerrville Daily Times
Kerrville, Texas, US
Tue, Nov 21, 2006
Page 5
Full Page
Clipped by
Jared T.
NA, NA 30 May 2023
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