United States v. Jones

OPINION

RYAN, Circuit Judge.

The defendant, Isaac Jones, Jr., was charged with possession of firearms in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1). At a hearing where Jones was scheduled to plead guilty to that charge, the district court judge closely questioned Jones to ensure that his guilty plea was knowing and voluntary. Jones, who is deaf, answered a number of the judge’s questions, but appeared to have trouble understanding and answering one of the questions. The judge ended the hearing and later declared Jones incompetent to stand trial, without first holding a competency hearing as requested…