MONROE - A judge has ordered the competency evaluation of a Monroe teen charged earlier this week with felony sexual assault and incest.
Michael P. Gifford, 17, will be evaluated by Madison psychologist Kent Berney at the recommendation of his public defender.
"I am of the opinion that (Gifford) is not competent," Guy Taylor, assistant state public defender, said at a hearing Friday in Green County Circuit Court.
Judge Thomas Vale also approved Taylor's request that Gifford's initial $15,000 cash bond be amended to a signature bond. Taylor argued earlier this week that Gifford can't afford such a high cash bond and doesn't belong in jail due to his cognitive disabilities.
After Friday's hearing, Gifford was expected to stay with the family of his Monroe High School teacher's aide, before being placed in a foster home on Monday.
The foster placement won't be for long, however, since Gifford turns 18 in July. Taylor and prosecutor Jeffrey Kohl discussed provisions for Gifford's eventual placement in a group home for adults.
Gifford, who appeared in court handcuffed and in jail scrubs, has a slight build and looks three or four years younger than his age. Deputy reports filed with the criminal complaint indicate he is in tenth grade but has "the intelligence of a 9-year-old."
He allegedly sexually assaulted a teen girl repeatedly over the past six months and faces felony counts of incest, child abuse and sexual assault and a misdemeanor count of battery. The most serious charges against him, Class C felonies, come with a penalty of up to 40 years in prison.
He was arrested last Sunday at his residence just southwest of Monroe. Conditions of his bond include no contact with this residence or the alleged victim and no unsupervised contact with anyone under the age of 18.
His competency hearing is scheduled Feb. 19.
Michael P. Gifford, 17, will be evaluated by Madison psychologist Kent Berney at the recommendation of his public defender.
"I am of the opinion that (Gifford) is not competent," Guy Taylor, assistant state public defender, said at a hearing Friday in Green County Circuit Court.
Judge Thomas Vale also approved Taylor's request that Gifford's initial $15,000 cash bond be amended to a signature bond. Taylor argued earlier this week that Gifford can't afford such a high cash bond and doesn't belong in jail due to his cognitive disabilities.
After Friday's hearing, Gifford was expected to stay with the family of his Monroe High School teacher's aide, before being placed in a foster home on Monday.
The foster placement won't be for long, however, since Gifford turns 18 in July. Taylor and prosecutor Jeffrey Kohl discussed provisions for Gifford's eventual placement in a group home for adults.
Gifford, who appeared in court handcuffed and in jail scrubs, has a slight build and looks three or four years younger than his age. Deputy reports filed with the criminal complaint indicate he is in tenth grade but has "the intelligence of a 9-year-old."
He allegedly sexually assaulted a teen girl repeatedly over the past six months and faces felony counts of incest, child abuse and sexual assault and a misdemeanor count of battery. The most serious charges against him, Class C felonies, come with a penalty of up to 40 years in prison.
He was arrested last Sunday at his residence just southwest of Monroe. Conditions of his bond include no contact with this residence or the alleged victim and no unsupervised contact with anyone under the age of 18.
His competency hearing is scheduled Feb. 19.