Former Abercrombie CEO mentally fit for sex-trafficking trial, judge says

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Michael Jeffries, former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, leaves following a hearing, in West Palm Beach, Florida, on 22 October 2024. Photograph: Rebecca Blackwell/AP View image in fullscreen Michael Jeffries, former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, leaves following a hearing, in West Palm Beach, Florida, on 22 October 2024. Photograph: Rebecca Blackwell/AP US news Former Abercrombie CEO mentally fit for sex-trafficking trial, judge says Michael Jeffries is ruled mentally competent to stand trial after being hospitalized for months for dementia symptoms

Prefer the Guardian on Google The former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch has been ruled mentally competent to stand trial as he faces sex-trafficking charges after being hospitalized for months for dementia and Alzheimer’s symptoms.

Michael Jeffries, who is 82 and free on bond for now, is scheduled to be tried in late October, alongside two co-defendants: his partner Matthew Smith and staffer James Jacobson. A pretrial hearing was slated for Thursday.

US district court judge Nusrat Choudhury concluded that Jeffries “clearly possesses a rational and factual understanding of the proceedings” and is a “reasonably intelligent person and skilled communicator” following his stay at a federal prison hospital in Butner, North Carolina.

The federal judge on Long Island, New York , said she reviewed testimony and written reports from medical experts and listened to hours of phone calls Jeffries made to his romantic partner, lawyers and others while in custody.