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NEW YORK (AP) -- The former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch is mentally competent to stand trial as he faces sex trafficking charges after being hospitalized for months for dementia and Alzheimer's symptoms, a federal judge ruled.
U.S. District Court Judge Nusrat Choudhury, in her Thursday decision, concluded that Michael Jeffries "clearly possesses a rational and factual understanding of the proceedings" and is a "reasonably intelligent person and skilled communicator" following his stay at a federal prison hospital in Butner, North Carolina.
The federal judge on Long Island, New York, said she reviewed testimony and written reports from medical experts and listened to hours of phone calls Jeffries made to his romantic partner, lawyers and others while in custody.
"His presentation and responses in evaluations following his commitment to Butner and his phone calls show that he understands the structure of the criminal legal system, courtroom procedures, the functions of the various participants, the nature and purpose of the proceedings, and key legal concepts," Choudhury wrote.
Jeffries' lawyer declined to comment.
"We do not comment on the Judge's rulings," Brian Bieber wrote in an email. "The case, and all related issues, will be tried inside the courtroom - not in the media."
Jeffries, 82, is currently free on bond. He's slated to go on trial in late October, alongside two co-defendants, his partner Matthew Smith and staffer James Jacobson. A pretrial hearing is slated for next Thursday.