DOTHAN, Ala. (AP) - A federal judge wants a mental evaluation for a former Ku Klux Klan leader who pleaded guilty to burning a cross in a black neighborhood in Ozark.
The judge ordered a psychiatric evaluation for 28-year-old Steve Joshua Dinkle after the man’s lawyer said he is having hallucinations in jail.
The Dothan Eagle (https://bit.ly/1hTXwMc ) reports Dinkle’s sentencing is current set for May 15, and the defense says the testing is needed before then.
Dinkle is the former exalted Cyclops of a Klan group in Ozark. He pleaded guilty in February to five charges related to a cross-burning in 2009.
The man’s attorney told the judge Dinkle is on medications for hallucinations, but they aren’t working.
The judge approved $2,4000 for an evaluation, which is due by April 6.
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