The Official Newspaper for Foster County
The Official Newspaper for Foster County
Andrew Jager was first arrested on Friday, April 21 in Carrington after multiple calls were received about a man carrying a gun case and yelling at passersby, just two blocks from the Carrington Public School.
After Carrington Police Chief Christopher Bittmann struggled to place him under arrest, Jager was charged with disorderly conduct, preventing arrest, two counts of carrying a concealed weapon, and three counts of unlawful possession of a firearm.
After posting bond, a status conference was held on July 11 at the Foster County Courthouse, but Jager did not show up, leading to a bench warrant being issued for his arrest.
And now, his prosecution has been suspended while he receives treatment at the North Dakota State Hospital.
According to court documents, Jager underwent an evaluation at the state hospital to determine his fitness to continue with criminal prosecution, and a report from Dr. Shannon Alexander details her findings.
"That report concluded that the Defendant was not mentally fit to proceed, but that Dr. Alexander believed the Defendant could be restored to competency," say court documents.
During a restoration status conference on August 9, court documents say Jager did not contest the finding that he was unfit to proceed.
Therefore, District Court Judge James Hovey has ordered that the prosecution of Jager's case "is hereby suspended pending efforts at the North Dakota State Hospital to restore competency to the Defendant ..."
Judge Hovey also stipulates, however, that Jager's prosecution must resume within 180 days of the court's finding.
Moving forward, a status conference will be held 45 days after the commitment order and every 30 days after that until a review hearing can be held "prior to the expiration of the statutory restoration time period to review the court's order for restoration."
However, Jager will have to wait before he can begin getting treatment at the North Dakota State Hospital.
As of press time, he was still being held at the Stutsman County Correctional Center in Jamestown, N.D. with bond set at $1,725, where he awaits an opening at the North Dakota State Hospital.
"The Defendant is currently being held on an order of commitment ... at the Stutsman County Correctional Center," say court documents. "In the event the North Dakota State Hospital does not have a bed available for treatment at the time the Defendant's order of commitment is complete, the court will hold a hearing."
Jager is considered innocent unless proven guilty.
