Assault case moved from OGS to Probate Court

A 50-year old man stood with his lawyer in the Oconee General Sessions Court, charged with assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature. But yesterday’s proceeding centered on whether the man, Tracy Lynn Morgan, is competent to stand trial because of the effects from accident injuries unrelated to the crime of which he is accused. Public Defender Wilson Burr said Morgan suffered closed head trauma in a 2009 moped accident. Judge Macaulay concurred with both the defense and the prosecution that, considering the results of medical examinations, there are questions whether Morgan is mentally competent to face trial, so the judge transferred Morgan’s case to the Probate Court. It is in the Probate Court, as explained by assistant solicitor Lindsey Simmons, that the probate judge will have more leeway to consider an order of mental health facility detention for the defendant, if the facts so warrant.