As a jury determines the fate of Semmie Williams Jr., a legal expert is weighing in on the competency standards that allowed Williams to testify in his own defense, despite his diagnosed mental illness.
Mark Astor, a former Palm Beach County prosecutor and defense attorney who now specializes in laws involving behavioral health, explained the legal framework that determines whether a defendant can stand trial.
WATCH:
Legal expert explains standards that deem a suspect competent to stand trial
For a defendant to be considered competent to stand trial, a judge must answer two critical questions: Can the defendant understand the proceedings of a trial, and can they play a role with their attorneys in their defense?…