Thomas Girardi’s lawyers have requested that a federal judge administer a daily competency quiz during the disbarred attorney’s three-week trial. The trial, scheduled to start this Tuesday, seeks to determine if the 85-year-old, who has been diagnosed with dementia, is able to comprehend the proceedings on an ongoing basis. The suggested protocol involves quizzing Girardi privately at the end of each trial day. The questions would cover the day’s events, including witness testimony, names, and the current date, to confirm his understanding and retention of the court proceedings.
This request stems from a previous ruling in January, where a judge decided Girardi was competent enough to stand trial despite his dementia diagnosis. The defense argues that continuous monitoring through daily quizzes is necessary to ensure that Girardi remains capable throughout the trial. The ongoing legal drama is unfolding in the US District Court for the Central District of California, where Girardi faces charges including [insert specific charges here, as the original article truncates this portion].
The full details of the defense team’s request and further background on Girardi’s legal challenges can be found in the original article by Bloomberg Law.