Former Prestonsburg mayor faked mental impairment to avoid trial, psychologist says
A magistrate judge recommended finding former Prestonsburg Mayor Jerry S. Fannin competent to stand trial on a corruption charge after a psychologist concluded Fannin faked the severity of his mental impairment during tests.
Fannin’s attorney argued in response that the psychologist had no expertise in judging how strokes have damaged Fannin’s ability to think and help with his defense.
The attorney, Ned Pillersdorf, urged U.S. District Judge Karen K. Caldwell to reject the recommendation that Fannin is able to stand trial and instead order neurological testing for him.
However, the prosecutor, Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth Taylor, said there was ample evidence to conclude Fannin is competent to be tried, and pointed to an earlier incident in which Fannin allegedly faked disability.
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