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Mental Health Evaluation For Accused White House Intruder

A judge ordered the evaluation within 30 days during a hearing for accused White House fence-jumper Omar Gonzalez, charged in the Sept. 19 breach.
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A federal judge on Tuesday ordered a mental evaluation for a man accused of jumping a White House fence and running past guards and inside the executive mansion, in a security breach that led to a change in the Secret Service leadership.

Omar Gonzalez, 42, made an appearance in court Tuesday after he was charged with three new counts in the Sept. 19 security breach, in which Gonzalez — who police say was carrying a knife — allegedly entered as far as the East Room of the White House before he was arrested. Criticism over that incident and other security scares surrounding the president led to the resignation of Secret Service Director Julia Pierson Oct. 1.

A previous one-hour forensic exam determined that Gonzalez was not competent to stand trial, and lawyers and prosecutors Tuesday agreed further tests were necessary.

IN-DEPTH

— Phil Helsel