U.S. Seeks Mental Exam of Kaczynski
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SACRAMENTO — Federal prosecutors contended Tuesday that a government psychiatrist should be allowed to examine Unabomber suspect Theodore J. Kaczynski to determine his mental condition.
The request is in response to statements by lawyers for the former UC Berkeley mathematician. The attorneys have indicated that they intend to seek testimony from their own experts about Kaczynski’s mental condition.
In arguments before U.S. District Judge Garland E. Burrell Jr., they opposed the prosecution’s request, describing it as a violation of Kaczynski’s 5th Amendment right against self-incrimination.
Defense lawyers said they are willing to provide reports on their client’s mental condition by Nov. 3, nine days before the trial is scheduled to begin.
Assistant U.S. Atty. J. Douglas Wilson told Burrell that was “too late a date” for prosecutors to get the information.
Kaczynski, 55, is charged with four bombings, including two fatal blasts in Sacramento. He has pleaded not guilty.
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