Posted on 07/01/2002 6:08:58 PM PDT by amigatec
Muskogee - An alleged imposter in the Webbers Falls I-40 bridge collapse is back in Muskogee. William Clark made his first appearance in federal court Monday.
It looks like Clark will undergo intense psychiatric tests. In part, because the government wants to know if he was sane when he allegedly showed up in Webbers Falls, telling everyone he was in charge.
Under tight security, the 29-year-old was brought into federal court. Clark is charged with impersonating a U.S. Army office on May 26th and 27th after the Interstate 40 bridge collapse. According to court documents, Clark told authorities he was on leave from Afghanistan and that the Pentagon called him to take over the scene because a senator's son wa in the accident and had important papers on him.
Now, his court-appointed lawyer wants a competency evaluation. "A competency evaluation has to do with my client's ability to understand the nature and consequences of charges pending against him," said Michael Abel.
But, the government is asking that be expanded to find out if Clark was insane when he showed up in Webbers Falls. And it's no short process. "Significant testing," says U.S. Attorney Sheldon Sperling. "Significant interviews, observations, mental health care officials examination. It's an in-depth process."
That process could take up to eight weeks. Clark, who is a convicted felong, is also accused of possessing a firearm. If he were able to stand trial and was convicted, he could face more than a decade behind bars.
Thanks for finding and posting this article. I've been wondering if they ever found this guy.
I thought it was strange that KOTV didn't carry it. KTUL said they were the ONLY news team there.
I will check the Muskogee paper in the morning.
Well if you consider he called the family of the dead Army Captain helping?
I still can't believe he really did that.
I posted it word for word. I guess it was posted on the web site mispelled.
I just didn't realize that impersonating an office was against the law ;0)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.