Holley man declared incompetent to stand trial
Jeffrey Paul is committed to psychiatric facility in Syracuse
ALBION – The trial is off for a Holley resident charged with criminal possession of stolen property and insurance fraud.
In County Court last month, Jeffrey Paul, 40, of Holley said that a series of medications prevented him from thinking clearly, and unable to help with his defense during the trial. Judge James Punch ordered psychological and psychiatric competency evaluations, and both specialists reported they didn’t think Paul could help with his own defense at a trial.
Paul’s attorney Larry Koss in court today also told Judge Punch he didn’t think Paul could assist in his defense.
Punch reviewed the reports from the psychologist and psychiatrist and had Paul committed to a psychiatric facility in Syracuse for up to a year. The judge cited Paul’s “profound problems.” If Paul’s condition improves, he could stand trial, Punch said.
Punch set a Nov. 4 court date for an update on Paul’s fitness for trial.
Paul and his father David allegedly stole two backhoes, a box truck and a car and buried some of it on David Paul’s property on the Monroe-Orleans Countyline Road. David Paul, 68, was sentenced to a year in the county jail in January.
