ENCINO : Trial Delayed in Star-Threat Case

The trial of a New York man charged with mailing threatening letters to pop superstar Janet Jackson was postponed Tuesday so a judge can determine if he is mentally competent to face the charges.

Frank Paul Jones, 33, has pleaded not guilty to four counts of sending threats through the mail, a federal offense punishable by a maximum five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count.

His trial was scheduled to begin Tuesday in U.S. District Court, but the federal prosecutor in the case and Jones’ public defender have both concluded that he is incompetent to stand trial. A competency hearing before U.S. District Judge A. Andrew Hauk has been scheduled for Oct. 13.

Jones was arrested June 22 in the driveway of the Jackson family compound in Encino, one month after he was arrested trying to enter the White House grounds. Jones, who also uses the name Paul Castellan, has sent some 40 threatening letters to Jackson, her brother Michael, her boyfriend, President Bush and others, said Assistant U.S. Atty. Gregory Jessner.

Jones described himself in some letters as Jackson’s husband, and has written of his desire to reunite with her and get rid of anyone in his way, according to the complaint.