San Diego
A Vietnam veteran who was arrested after a Dec. 21 rampage in the Department of Veterans Affairs building was deemed mentally competent Friday to stand trial on charges of destroying government property.
Using a cane to walk, Neil D. Shangold, 41, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Barry Moskowitz, who ordered the psychiatric report on him sealed and ruled that Shangold is fit to stand trial on the felony charge. He said Shangold understands the court proceedings against him.
“I do not see any basis that he is not competent to stand trial,” Moskowitz said.
Shangold’s attorney, Hud Collins, said Shangold has an “attention deficit disorder” and is dyslexic.
Shangold pleaded not guilty to destroying government property. Computers, telephones and typewriters were thrown out a 10th-floor window during the incident in Mission Valley.
Moskowitz also lowered Shangold’s bail from $150,000 to $25,000.
Shangold has said that he staged the incident to gain attention for Vietnam veterans’ problems with the bureaucracy.
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