credit: Prince William County Police
MANASSAS, Va. (CBSDC/AP) — Aaron Thomas, the man accused of being the East Coast Rapist allegedly responsible for 17 sexual assaults over a decade, will not be evaluated again for competency to stand trial, a Virginia judge ruled Friday.
Thomas’ Defense attorneys sought a second report after they said Thomas began trying to injure himself and stopped speaking to them. But a judge denied the request, agreeing with prosecutors there was no reason for a new evaluation.
An earlier report concluded Thomas was feigning mental illness. Thomas could be found competent to stand trial but insane at the time of his alleged crimes.
Prince William County Circuit Court Judge Mary Grace O’Brien warned Thomas he needs to cooperate with additional mental health evaluators. Otherwise he risks not being able to present an insanity defense at trial.
Thomas attempted to speak out multiple times during the brief hearing Friday. He seemed to want to tell the judge why he has refused to talk. He also appeared to indicate he would meet with mental health evaluators, saying “OK” after the judge explained why.
But Thomas also fidgeted noticeably in court, trying to turn around to look at spectators and standing up at one point in an apparent effort to scratch himself.
“I’m sorry for itching because I have a hole and it’s bleeding,” he said before the judge cut him off.
As he was led out of the courtroom he said, “They’re not going to let me talk.”
Thomas is accused in Prince William County of raping two teenage girls and attacking another on Halloween 2009. Authorities believe he also attacked women in Maryland, Connecticut and Rhode Island. His trial is currently scheduled for July.
(TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)



Deadly Tornado
Cars Of The Future
Reporter's Gallery
Deadly Tornado Ravages...
138th Running of the...
Baseball Shots Of The Week –...
Best Summer Dishes
CBS 2013-2014 Prime Time Shows
Flash Forward: Concept Cars...
Baseball Shots Of The Week –...
Water Main Break Pours Into...
Best Summer Festivals and...
Baseball Shots Of The Week –...
Run of the Chihuahuas
Caps Take Game 2 With...
Chihuahuas Dressed in Costumes
Simulated Aircraft Accident...
Firefighters Extinguish...
Best Mexican Cuisine