Possible DNC hacker will have to face trial for Linked In hacking, despite mental illness claims.
This is the guy alleged to have carried out a large scale hacking of Linked In and other sites. Before he was extradited from the Czech Republic, he claimed that the FBI was accusing him (falsely, he said) of also being behind the DNC hacking.
https://www.cyberscoop.com/yevginiy-nikulin-linkedin-hacker-trial-mental-illness/
The Russian accused of hacking a number of sites, including LinkedIn and Dropbox, was ruled fit to stand trial in a May 29 decision by U.S. District Judge William Alsup.
Nikulin previously was ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation for refusing to communicate with his attorneys about his case, despite an ability to communicate about other topics without difficulty. Government attorneys previously argued “there is no comparison to the present case, where the defendant has stated that he has no complaint regarding his representation, but chooses not to discuss the proceedings with his counsel.”
The defense has argued that Nikulin suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder related to his brother’s suicide and an abusive father, and that he has exhibited irrational behavior.
Now, Alsup has ruled that the case against Nikulin will move forward. In his decision, the judge said Nikulin’s refusal to participate in his own defense is based on his own choice, and that precedent makes it clear that mental illness does not equate to incompetence. Had the court deemed Nikulin unable to stand trial, the defense would have requested his return to Russia, attorney Arkady Bukh previously told CyberScoop.
DNIP
