TIMOTHY J. CORRIGAN, Magistrate Judge.
This protracted case has so far revolved around Defendant's serious medical and psychological issues. Now, Defendant has filed a Motion for Abatement of Trial (Doc. 194), to which the government responded (Doc. 195). The assigned United States Magistrate Judge issued a detailed Report and Recommendation on the motion, recommending Defendant's motion for abatement be denied without prejudice and Defendant be committed for treatment to restore his competency. (Doc. 314). Defendant objected to the Report and Recommendation (Doc. 330), and the government responded (Doc. 331).
Where a party objects to a magistrate judge's determination on a nondispositive order, the district court must "set aside any part of the order that is contrary to law or clearly erroneous".
The Magistrate Judge has extensive experience with this case. He has conducted 29 hearings of various type with the Defendant, reviewed hundreds of pages of medical and psychological reports, and heard testimony from health care providers, as well as from the Defendant. The Magistrate Judge has fully appreciated the complexity and difficulty of the medical and psychological issues and has given Defendant every opportunity to be heard. On October 1, 2013, he held an all-day evidentiary hearing regarding the government's motion to determine Defendant's mental competency. (Doc. 225). On October 4, 2013, that hearing continued with further argument on the issue. (Doc. 228). On February 6, 2014, the Magistrate Judge held an evidentiary hearing on Defendant's competency to stand trial and his motion for abatement of trial. (Doc. 264). That evidentiary hearing continued all day on February 7, 2014 (Doc. 266), and then continued again on March 10, 2014 (Doc. 274) and March 13, 2014 (Doc. 278). The Magistrate Judge heard further argument regarding the motion on July 18, 2014 (Doc. 307), before issuing his comprehensive and well-reasoned Report and Recommendation.
Upon independent review of the record, the Court accepts the Magistrate Judge's credibility determinations. Moreover, the Court agrees with the Magistrate Judge, and therefore finds that the Magistrate Judge's Report and Recommendation was neither clearly erroneous nor contrary to law.
Accordingly, it is hereby
1. The Report and Recommendation of the Magistrate Judge (Doc. 314) is
2. Defendant's Motion for Abatement of Trial (Doc. 194) is
3. Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 4241(d) and § 4247(b), Defendant shall be committed for treatment and a psychiatric or psychological examination by a designated licensed or certified psychiatrist or psychologist for a reasonable period, but not to exceed four months, to the custody of the Attorney General, or his duly authorized representative(s), for placement in a suitable facility of the Bureau of Prisons.
The director of the facility shall designate one or more such psychiatrists or psychologists for such treatment and examination. The director of the facility may apply to this Court for an additional reasonable period of time until either: (1) Defendant's mental condition is so improved that trial may proceed, if the Court finds that there is a substantial probability that within such additional time Defendant will attain the capacity to permit the trial to proceed; or (2) the pending charges against Defendant are disposed of according to law.
Given the serious medical condition of Defendant, status reports shall be submitted to the following individuals every
Timothy J. Corrigan, United States District Judge, 300 N. Hogan Street, Suite 11-100, Jacksonville Florida, 32202;
James R. Klindt, United States Magistrate Judge, 300 N. Hogan Street, Suite 5-111, Jacksonville, Florida 32202;
D. Rodney Brown, Assistant United States Attorney, 300 N. Hogan Street, Suite 700, Jacksonville, Florida 32202;
Vanessa Zamora Newtson, Esquire, and Mark Rosenblum, Esquire, Suite 601, 1300 Riverplace Blvd., Jacksonville, Florida 32207; and
Thomas M. Bell, Esquire, 515 Newnan St., Jacksonville, Florida 32202.
Additionally, upon the conclusion of Defendant's stay at the facility, and pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 4247(c), a psychiatric or psychological report shall be prepared by the examiner designated to conduct the psychiatric or psychological treatment and/or examination. This report shall be filed with the Court and furnished to the above individuals, and shall include the following:
(1) Defendant's history and present symptoms;
(2) a description of the psychiatric, psychological, and medical tests that were employed and their results;
(3) the examiner's findings;
(4) the examiner's opinions as to diagnosis and prognosis;
(5) whether Defendant suffers from a mental disease or defect rendering
Defendant mentally incompetent to the extent that Defendant is unable to understand the nature and consequences of the proceedings against Defendant or to assist properly in his defense; and
(6) if Defendant continues to be found incompetent, determine whether there is a substantial probability that in the foreseeable future he will attain the capacity to permit the trial to proceed.
Defendant shall