Attorney: Evaluation Shows Clarett Competent To Stand Trial

Friday, September 8th 2006, 12:05 pm

By: News On 6

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- A mental health evaluation of former Ohio State football star Maurice Clarett found he is competent to stand trial on robbery charges, his attorney said Friday.

A judge had ordered Clarett to be examined following his Aug. 9 arrest after a highway chase and violent struggle with police, who found four loaded guns in his SUV.

Prosecutors told Franklin County Common Pleas Judge David Fais at a hearing in Clarett's robbery case that they had read the psychological evaluation and agreed to have it entered as an exhibit in the trial. Fais said the findings will not be released until presented at trial.

"It was a determination of competency," said Michael Hoague, one of Clarett's attorneys, after Friday's brief hearing.

Fais asked Clarett during the proceeding if he understood his trial would begin Sept. 18.

"Yes, sir," said Clarett, sporting a beard and a brown jail clothing. Clarett's mother and his girlfriend, who gave birth to the couple's daughter this summer, sat in the courtroom.

Clarett's accused of robbing two people of a cell phone outside a Columbus bar early New Year's Day.