Suspect in Pueblo County voting machine tampering deemed mentally incompetent
By Colleen Slevin , The Associated Press A man accused of tampering with a voting machine during Colorado’s primary Election is mental ly incom Pet ent and cannot continue with court proceedings, a judge ruled Thursday. At the request of Richard Patton’s lawyer and prosecutors, Judge William Alexander also ordered that Patton undergo outpatient mental health treatment in hopes of making him well enough so he can be prosecuted. The judge’s ruling followed an evaluation by an expert who found that Patton was mental ly incom Pet ent. To be considered legally com Pet ent to proceed, people accused of crimes must be deemed able to understand proceedings and help in their own defense by being able to communicate with their lawyers. Patton’s lawyer had requested the evaluation but no details about why have been released. Patton has not been asked to enter a plea yet and the case against him will not resume until he...