Bakker Ruled ‘Sane’; Trial Goes On : Had Panic Attack on Realization of Situation, Doctor Says

A federal judge today ruled Jim Bakker competent to stand trial after a psychiatrist testified that the TV evangelist was not mentally ill but merely had a panic attack when he finally grasped his downfall.

U.S. District Judge Robert Potter said the fallen evangelist’s trial on charges of fleecing followers of his PTL ministry will resume later in the day.

The ruling came after a hearing for which Bakker was brought to court from a prison psychiatric unit in leg irons and handcuffs. He was committed for a psychiatric evaluation there Thursday after his personal psychiatrist reported he was hallucinating and cowering in a fetal position under a couch.

Called Competent

During today’s hearing, Dr. Sally Johnson, a psychiatrist at the Federal Correctional Institution at Butner, testified Bakker is competent to stand trial and “has the capacity to get through it.”

She said Bakker suffered a panic attack last week after a witness collapsed during defense cross-examination.

“For the first time in three years, the whole situation came home to him, and he began to cry,” she testified. “The weight of all these things began to coalesce, and he began crying. It was a powerful emotional reaction and release.”

Potter asked Bakker to rise and answer questions before he released him from the custody of U.S. marshals.

“Do you understand what you are on trial here for?” the judge asked.

“Yes, sir,” Bakker responded quietly.

Asked if he was able to assist his lawyers, Bakker said, “I’m very tired, but I believe I can.”

His wife, Tammy Faye, said as she left court, “This should not be allowed in the United States of America.”

Potter did not immediately rule on a defense request for a mistrial but said he expected the trial to resume later in the day.

Bakker, who resigned from the PTL ministry in 1987 in a sex and money scandal, went on trial Aug. 28 on conspiracy and fraud charges. Prosecutors said he used nearly $4 million in ministry funds to live in high style.

He could receive 120 years in prison and be fined more than $5 million if convicted.

Bakker showed little emotion during today’s hearing, which was attended by his wife and other family members.

Tammy Faye Bakker arrived with defense attorney George T. Savis shortly after her husband this morning and brought him a suit, shirt, tie and shoes. He was wearing gray pants and a sport shirt as he entered the building.

Mistrial Request

Defense attorney Harold Bender filed the mistrial request Tuesday, maintaining the jury might blame the defense for the collapse of government witness Steve Nelson last week during grilling by Bakker’s lawyers.

Johnson said she did not detect any signs of mental disease. “It’s not abnormal for someone to be experiencing those symptoms in a trial situation, especially if it comes on the heels of a major disruption in a person’s life,” she said.

She described Bakker’s symptoms as “moderate depression” and “situational anxiety” and detected “dependent features in his personality” and narcissism.