White House Gunman Arraigned

A judge has nullified a magistrate's ruling ordering a mental evaluation of alleged White House gunman Robert Pickett.

Pickett is the former IRS auditor accused with assault on a federal officer. He allegedly pointed a weapon at a Secret Service officer outside the White House gate last month and was shot by another officer.

In his ruling, U.S. District Judge Henry Kennedy based his findings on the transcripts from Pickett's earlier court appearance, Pickett's own testimony and the testimony of witnesses, and statements from both attorneys.

Judge Kennedy says there is a "presumption of competence," and no reason to assume Pickett is incompetent. An arraignment is now underway.

Pickett has pleaded not guilty to the three charges against him. He has also waived his right to a speedy trial for three weeks to give his defense counsel time to prepare. The next status hearing in the case is set for April 12th. He remains in custody.

Pickett was hospitalized and operated on in the wake of the incident. Prosecutors say he was taking at least 24 different medications and said he had been under psychiatric care for 15 years.

According to an affidavit filed in U.S. District Court by Park Police Detective Timothy Moser, Pickett was shot after he refused to drop the weapon and was pointing it toward some bushes where officers were hiding. When the Secret Service officer heard the gun click, he opted to shoot Pickett — fearing for the safety of the officers.

An accountant, Pickett was fired from his job with the Internal Revenue Service in the late 1980s. Neighbors said he resented the agency. Pickett lived by himself and acknowledged in court records that he suffered from mental illness and tried to commit suicide after his dismissal.


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