Mental health test is ordered by judge

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COLUMBUS (AP) — Maurice Clarett was ordered Friday to have a mental health evaluation after a highway chase and violent struggle with police who caught him with four loaded guns. The Youngstown man insisted he is competent to stand trial in another case.

Judge David Fais delayed the trial set to begin Monday on previous charges accusing the player of holding up two people outside a bar on New Year's Day.

The events surrounding Clarett's arrest early Wednesday made the evaluation by a doctor necessary, regardless of the objections by Clarett and his attorneys, Fais said.

Claims he's lucid

"I clearly understand everything, and I don't know why we have to drag this thing out," said Clarett, who scoffed, smiled and rolled his head back when Fais ordered the evaluation.

Clarett, who wrote a few notes to his attorneys with his hands cuffed, said he was ready to go to trial.

Fais was concerned by Clarett's attorneys saying in published reports that they were worried about his mental health.

"It's my job," Fais said. "I have to ensure that your rights are protected."

Clarett's girlfriend, who gave birth to the couple's daughter last month, and his mother sat in the courtroom. They declined comment outside.

A delay gives Clarett time to recover from a swollen face and bruised eye from his struggle with several officers.

Fais also revoked Clarett's $1.1 million bond on the charges, meaning Clarett figures to remain in jail until the new trial starts Sept. 18.

Clarett's latest run-in with the law began when Columbus police noticed a vehicle driving erratically, prompting a highway chase that ended with police spiking the SUV's tires. Officers said they could not easily subdue Clarett because he was wearing a bulletproof vest that thwarted their stun guns.

After police using pepper spray finally got him into handcuffs, the 6-foot, 245-pounder continued to struggle, kicking at the doors of the transport vehicle. Officers also put a cloth mask over Clarett's mouth after they say he spat at them.

Clarett was charged with carrying a concealed weapon and a traffic violation, and police said more charges are possible. Bond on those charges was set at $5 million, which Clarett's attorneys said he most likely would not be able to pay.

He was driving a few blocks from the home of a woman scheduled to testify against him in his robbery trial. In that case, witnesses said Clarett flashed a gun and robbed them of a cell phone behind a Columbus nightclub.

Fais said he thought allowing time to pass between the highway chase and Clarett's trial on the robbery charges would be beneficial. The delay also will give the court more time to draw the larger jury pool that will be necessary to find impartial people because of the publicity surrounding the case, he said.

Prosecutors supported the decision for the evaluation. Defense attorneys twice objected to the order, saying they were confident Clarett was competent.

"We do not wish to see these proceedings continued at all," attorney Michael Hoague told the judge.

The evaluation could have been done over the weekend to avoid delaying the trial, Hoague said afterward.

"Instead of having the possibility of being acquitted this time next week, he'll be in jail," he said.

Called former coach

Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said Clarett called him a couple times this week, including once the day before his arrest. Tressel didn't get the calls and left Clarett a voice mail, but the two never spoke.

"I didn't get a chance to connect with him recently, but absolutely — he's in my thoughts," Tressel said.

Clarett alleged in a 2004 news article that Tressel or his staff arranged for him to get passing grades, cars and money for bogus summer jobs.

Clarett provides a "teaching moment" for other players, Tressel said.

"When you review in your mind the conversations you've had and the lessons you've tried to share, yes, anytime we don't succeed, whether socially or academically, if someone doesn't make it, or if we don't succeed athletically, it's disappointing," he said.

Saturday, August 12, 2006