Judge Clears 82-Year-Old Michael Jeffries for October Sex-Trafficking Trial
Updated
Updated · NBC News · Aug 21
Judge Clears 82-Year-Old Michael Jeffries for October Sex-Trafficking Trial
3 articles · Updated · NBC News · Aug 21
Summary
A federal judge ruled Michael Jeffries is competent to stand trial, clearing the former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO to face a jury on Long Island in October.
A 157-page ruling said 109 phone calls from a four-month stay at a federal medical center showed Jeffries understood the case, could learn and recall key information, and could work with his lawyers.
Jeffries’ defense had argued dementia and late-onset Alzheimer’s made him unfit, but the judge said his own comments about trial risks and losing money showed a rational grasp of the proceedings.
The court will still accommodate the 82-year-old with 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. trial sessions and morning time to review transcripts and strategy.
Jeffries, partner Matthew Smith and recruiter James Jacobson have pleaded not guilty to 1 sex-trafficking count and 15 interstate prostitution counts tied to alleged global “sex events” from 2008 to 2015.