SALEM, Indiana — After numerous delays, an Indiana judge issued two major rulings Thursday in the criminal case against the woman charged with killing her 5-year-old son and dumping his body inside a suitcase in rural southern Indiana.
Judge Larry Medlock ruled that Dejaune Anderson, the mother of Cairo Jordan, can’t represent herself in court and must be taken to a psychiatric facility, according to new court documents filed Thursday.
Anderson has fought for months to represent herself in court, however Judge Medlock wanted her to undergo two psychiatric evaluations.
Despite her repeated protests, doctors were able to submit completed competency reports last month.
Both doctors determined Anderson is “not currently competent to stand trial or assist counsel in her defense,” the judge said.
The doctors also recommended she be committed to the Indiana Department of Mental Health and Addiction to find placement in a State Hospital facility for mental treatment, and Judge Medlock agreed.
Anderson was expected to be in court Aug. 22, however a court official told WHAS11 all future hearings have been canceled. Her trial, which was expected to begin in October, has also been canceled.
Those hearings will be rescheduled once Anderson completes mental health treatment and is competent to stand trial, Medlock said.
Why was Dejaune Anderson deemed incompetent to stand trial?
Details of the competency reports remain confidential, however Judge Medlock’s order outlines what information the doctors used, including reviewing Anderon’s previously filed motions, arrest records, medical and social history, and jail phone texts and calls.
The judge said Dr. George Parker was unable to complete a full interview with Anderson. In one instance she outright refused the exam and the second time she claimed Parker exuded “negative energy.” His report included information about the brief 10 minutes he was able to speak with her and a 20-minute conversation with jail officers.
The second doctor, Dr. Stephanie Callaway, was able to complete a two-and-a-half-hour interview with Anderson. She also reviewed recordings of Anderson’s arraignment.
Last month, the judge threatened to hold Anderson in contempt of court for filing dozens of “irrelevant,” conspiracy-filled motions.
Anderson has claimed her public defender is a relative of President Joe Biden, that she’s been placed under MK Ultra mind control within the jail, and accused a court clerk and Judge Medlock of committing fraud in more than 30 handwritten motions since her arraignment in April.
The judge argued her motions were “a possible attempt to distract from [her] own criminal charges,” and struck all the previous motions. He said she would need to file a new motion to represent herself in court that follows proper Indiana Rules of Trial Procedure and not file any more non-compliant motions.
As of Friday morning, Anderson has yet to file that request, but Medlock isn't letting her represent herself regardless.
"Rather than follow [the previous order], Defendant filed this appeal in the Indiana Court of Appeals on July 24, 2024," Medlock argued, adding that her appeal was dismissed. "The court now finds [Anderson] is unable to abide by the rules of this court and therefore orders her pro se status is now immediately revoked."
He said Anderson's court-appointed attorney will remain as her defense counsel and is allowed to submit filings on her behalf.
"To allow [her] to represent herself in this matter would be detrimental to her right to a fair and speedy trial," Medlock said.
Anderson is charged with murder, neglect of a dependent and obstruction of justice in Cairo’s death. She is the second woman arrested in his death.
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