Prosecutors May Bring In Mental Health Expert To Examine Jesse Jackson Jr.
By Chuck Sudo in News on Apr 29, 2013 6:30PM
Photo credit: Win McNamee/Getty Images News
Federal prosecutors hinted Friday they may bring in an expert to examine former congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. if his attorneys attempt to use his bipolar disorder as a condition for a lenient sentence. Prosecutor Matt Graves said he wanted to “alert” U.S. District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson to the issue (which made national headlines last year during Jackson’s medical leave of absence from Congress) during a hearing she ordered because she is taking over the case for Judge Robert Wilkins. (Wilkins accepted Jackson’s plea deal, which is expected to include “significant jail time.”)
Jackson’s attorney Reid Weingarten said his client’s mental health issues are well-known and they don’t intend to argue his condition should be a mitigating factor in his sentencing.
Jackson pleaded guilty in February to spending over $750,000 in campaign funds for personal use, including buying a fedora once owned by Michael Jackson and over $10,000 in Bruce Lee memorabilia. Jackson’s wife, Sandi, also pleaded guilty to willfully filing a false tax return.
Judge Jackson also pushed back the former congressman’s sentencing to July 1, meaning that Jesse and Sandi Jackson could be sentenced back-to-back.
Related:
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Plea Deal For Jesse Jackson Jr. Includes 'Significant Jail Time'
Prosecutors Charge Jesse Jackson Jr., Sandi Jackson Of Misusing Campaign Funds
Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr.: Son 'Struggling,' 'Under Tight Medical Supervision'