MONROE - A Monroe man is competent to stand trial on charges of possessing child pornography, a Green County judge ruled Tuesday.
Daniel E. Bliss, 34, is charged with four Class D felony counts of possession of child pornography and one Class H felony count of intentionally contributing to the delinquency of a child.
Forensic psychiatrist Craig Schoenecker previously declared Bliss incompetent to stand trial. At a competency hearing Tuesday, Schoenecker testified that Bliss, after receiving more than six months of outpatient care and counseling, has gained enough comprehension of his charges and the legal process to competently stand trial.
"He learns things slower than the average person. He will require more time than the average defendant," Schoenecker said, adding that once Bliss obtains knowledge about a subject, "he maintains comprehension of it."
Bliss' understanding of the legal proceedings involved in a trial has increased substantially from his initial interview, and while he may take longer to understand new concepts, he has no difficulty in recalling or providing details related to his charges, Schoenecker said.
Still, defense attorney Timothy Burns warned that Bliss' issues with "speed of comprehension" would lead to a longer-than-normal trial. Burns had ordered his own competency evaluation of Bliss back in July. The result of that evaluation was not disclosed or discussed at Tuesday's hearing.
On the basis of Schoenecker's assessment, Judge James Beer found Bliss competent to stand trial. A preliminary hearing is set for Nov. 9.
An investigation into the case began in 2014, when Bliss' Facebook profile came up in a search of a state database that reports suspected child pornography uploaded to Facebook in Wisconsin, according to the criminal complaint.
Bliss allegedly asked for and received photos of a 16-year-old girl in the course of a Facebook Instant Messenger conversation with a Rock County boy, then 17. The girl, also from Rock County, told an investigator she sent the photos to the boy but was unaware they had been shared.
When Bliss asked for photos, the boy initially responded that he didn't know "anyone old enough for you," according to a state agent's report.
When Bliss' laptop was seized, agents reportedly discovered three videos depicting prepubescent children engaged in sex acts on the hard drive, as well as Google search terms related to child sex.
Daniel E. Bliss, 34, is charged with four Class D felony counts of possession of child pornography and one Class H felony count of intentionally contributing to the delinquency of a child.
Forensic psychiatrist Craig Schoenecker previously declared Bliss incompetent to stand trial. At a competency hearing Tuesday, Schoenecker testified that Bliss, after receiving more than six months of outpatient care and counseling, has gained enough comprehension of his charges and the legal process to competently stand trial.
"He learns things slower than the average person. He will require more time than the average defendant," Schoenecker said, adding that once Bliss obtains knowledge about a subject, "he maintains comprehension of it."
Bliss' understanding of the legal proceedings involved in a trial has increased substantially from his initial interview, and while he may take longer to understand new concepts, he has no difficulty in recalling or providing details related to his charges, Schoenecker said.
Still, defense attorney Timothy Burns warned that Bliss' issues with "speed of comprehension" would lead to a longer-than-normal trial. Burns had ordered his own competency evaluation of Bliss back in July. The result of that evaluation was not disclosed or discussed at Tuesday's hearing.
On the basis of Schoenecker's assessment, Judge James Beer found Bliss competent to stand trial. A preliminary hearing is set for Nov. 9.
An investigation into the case began in 2014, when Bliss' Facebook profile came up in a search of a state database that reports suspected child pornography uploaded to Facebook in Wisconsin, according to the criminal complaint.
Bliss allegedly asked for and received photos of a 16-year-old girl in the course of a Facebook Instant Messenger conversation with a Rock County boy, then 17. The girl, also from Rock County, told an investigator she sent the photos to the boy but was unaware they had been shared.
When Bliss asked for photos, the boy initially responded that he didn't know "anyone old enough for you," according to a state agent's report.
When Bliss' laptop was seized, agents reportedly discovered three videos depicting prepubescent children engaged in sex acts on the hard drive, as well as Google search terms related to child sex.