Jones County Circuit Court Judge Dal Williamson heard three motions Tuesday for defendants to receive mental competency evaluations.
Eric Cooley, Agoday Ramirez and Jessie Mae Cooley all appeared before the judge to seek permission for some level of psychiatric evaluation or treatment before their trials proceed. Cooley, who has four charges pending against him (including simple assault, shoplifting and malicious mischief) told the court that he heard voices, sometimes cut himself and had even swallowed a razor blade. Cooley said he had sought treatment, but that no medications had helped him so far. The judge wants him to see one other psychiatrist before moving forward with the charges against him.
Ramirez is charged with motor vehicle theft. He did not speak or hardly even look up as he was led into the courtroom and as he stood before the court. Judge Williamson ordered him to East Mississippi State Hospital to be treated to see if he can be restored to a mental competency level that will allow him to face the charge against him.
Windham, who appeared before the judge in August in an attempt to get her trial dismissed due to lack of a speedy trial, will also get additional evaluations before potentially facing a jury for the allegation of DUI death of another.
Attorney Jeannene Pacific petitioned the court back in August to toss out a case against Windham, due to a violation of the defendant’s Sixth Amendment right to a speedy trial. Judge Williamson denied the motion to dismiss the trial.
Windham’s attorney noted at the August hearing that her client is disabled, suffering from paranoia schizophrenia.
In addition to allowing further evaluations on Tuesday, the judge set Windham’s bond at $5,000. She was jailed for not appearing in court for an attorney status hearing.
In a separate case, Ayesha Landrum was allowed to enter rehabilitation at ZAC House Recovery Center in Laurel. She was charged with possession of a controlled substance and tampering with evidence. Judge Williamson stated that if she left or was dismissed from ZAC House before finishing her rehab, her bond would be revoked and she would be jailed again.