Autistic Man Not Competent to Stand Trial on Child Porn Charges
A Miami man who suffers from autism was ruled incompetent to stand trial on child pornography charges. It’s a unique case that has drawn the interest of child advocates and attorneys who protect the rights of Florida’s at-risk youth.
In the case, Tony Rodriguez, who according to news reports has an IQ of 73, had been under indictment for several years for downloading child pornography. Now 25, Rodriguez was found by a federal judge to be “incompetent” to assist in his own defense.
The man’s mother, Maria, who was in court when the ruling was made, cried when addressed by U.S. District Judge Ursula Ungaro. The judge had asked the woman about the decision, which included placing Mr. Rodriguez in a group home in Homestead. The facility “addresses behavioral excesses” under the supervision of the state Agency for Persons with Disabilities,” according to the Miami Herald.