Court Orders Mental Competency Exam for Padilla

Mental Exam Ordered for Terror Suspect.

A psychiatrist and a psychologist hired by Padilla’s attorneys concluded he is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental problems stemming largely from his 3 1/2 years in solitary confinement at a Navy brig in Charleston, S.C.

Prosecutors did not contest the request for the evaluation, although they do contest claims of mistreatment (while withholding evidence relevant to the conditions of confinement).

Trial date is still Jan. 22 — so far.