Tony Houston, a Germantown resident and Valley View graduate, appeared in Federal Court August 17 for a competency hearing.
Houston was arrested June 3 and charged federally with possessing unregistered firearms, including a sawed-off shotgun and pipe bombs.
Federal Court in downtown Dayton
In June, Judge Peter B. Silvain, Jr. ordered a psych evaluation of Houston, noting that Houston believed he was being experimented on and irradiated by the military.
At the hearing this week, the Judge referenced an eight-page report by Dr. Massimo De Marchis, a clinical psychologist who evaluated Houston and found him competent to participate in his own defense.
The prosecution accepted the report’s findings and public defender James Thomas Sanchez who represents Houston, did not dispute the report. He did say that the defense would have its own physician evaluate Houston for mitigating circumstances in the case.
“I have no doubt about his present competency,” Judge Silvain said.
Houston in Court
The TWIN CREEK TIMES was present in the courtroom for Houston’s hearing. Federal Court rules prohibit photos or videos of the proceedings.
Houston shuffled into court with both his legs and hands shackled. He was wearing a blue jumpsuit that said Montgomery County Jail and a white sling on his left arm.
His hair was clipped short on the side and slightly longer on top. He wore dark glasses and spoke quietly with his lawyer.
The Judge asked jail officials who accompanied Houston to the hearing if he was receiving proper medical care. He mentioned Houston’s medication and the fact that he had a previous stroke.
Next Steps
Houston will have a detention hearing this week. His lawyer mentioned working with his family to ensure he would have a place to live, if released.
No one from Houston’s family, or any friends or supporters, attended the hearing.
📸 Valley View Yearbook
Houston is a 2003 graduate of Valley View.
He lived at Windcliff Village Apartments, at the top of the hill near the intersection of Route 4 and Market Street.
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