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Century Man Arrested 15 Times In A Year Found Incompetent To Stand Trial
October 15, 2010
Ronald Berlan Newton, 49, has been found incompetent to stand trial on a long list of charges from multiple arrests — including aggravated stalking, battery, disorderly conduct, indecent exposure and trespassing.
Newton was remanded into the custody of the Florida Department of Children and Families for evaluation.
Escambia County court and jail records show the following arrests and charges for Newton over the past three years:
April 11, 2007
- trespassing, charges dropped
August 14, 2007
- simple assault — 60 days in jail
- aggravated assault with deadly weapon — charges dropped
- criminal mischief under $1,000 — charges dropped
April 28, 2008
- driving while license suspended, first offense – charges dropped
- open container in vehicle – paid $123.50 fine
- expired registration – paid $73.50 fine
May 31, 2009
- battery — charges dropped
- criminal mischief — charges dropped
July 29, 2009
- driving while license suspended, second offense — fined $500, suspended 11 months, 30 days in jail
January 8, 2009
- battery — charges dropped, defendant “mentally defective”
September 1, 2009
- indecent exposure in public — dismissed due to incompetence
- lewd lascivious behavior victim under 18 — no action by prosecutor
- lewd lascivious behavior victim under 18 — no action by prosecutor
November 23, 2009
- criminal mischief under $1,000 — dismissed
January 1, 2010
- disorderly conduct — charges dropped
February 1, 2010
- battery — dismissed
March 23, 2010
- trespassing, case pending, pleaded not guilty, released on $500 bond
- disorderly conduct, case pending, pleaded not guilty, released on $500 bond
April 27, 2010
- trespassing, case pending, pleaded not guilty, released on $500 bond
- criminal mischief over $1,000 — case pending, released on $2,500 bond, pleaded not guilty
April 8, 2010
- littering under 15 pounds, fine and costs of $135 remains unpaid
May 7, 2010
- aggravated assault — case pending, released on $5,000 bond
May 19, 2010
- contempt of court — dismissed due to incompetence
- criminal mischief — dismissed due to incompetence
May 29, 2010
- trespassing — dismissed due to incompetence
May 31, 2010
- battery — dismissed due to incompetence
- criminal mischief — dismissed due to incompetence
June 2, 2010
- violation of a court ordered injunction— dismissed due to incompetence
- aggravated stalking— dismissed due to incompetence
June 18, 2010
- battery, touch or strike — dismissed due to incompetence
Comments
41 Responses to “Century Man Arrested 15 Times In A Year Found Incompetent To Stand Trial”
Sooner or later, there will be a tragic outcome regarding this poor fellow…I wonder how many other people will be harmed when that happens?
To Escambiate:
You`re correct in your definition of what incompentancy can mean in a majority of cases…however, if Mr Newton had only a few arrests I could understand the charges being dropped due to his incompetency. This individual has 15 arrests some of which should be concidered of a potential to be a cause of harm for others.
It should have become obvious to the courts after the 3rd maybe 4th arrest that Mr Newton is not competant and should require some sort of supervision, if not for his own safety, at the very least for the people in the community.
This is like the court system/state of Florida is enabling him to continue to be breaking laws.
A child cant comprehend certain things and needs supervision and guidance.
Some adults unfortunitely have the mental capacity of a child and should require supervision too.
As to the law:
If the court determines that a defendant’s mental condition makes him unable to understand the charges and proceedings, or that he is unable to help in his defense, he is found incompetent. Legally, this does not mean a person is cleared of wrongdoings. It is not a get out of jail free card. It means the person will face the charges later on (if and when they are in a better mental position to do so). Also, being incompetent is not the same as being declared “insane.”
Why they would release a person such as Mr. Newton is beyond me and shows incompetence. The legal system has a duty to protect the citizens and Mr. Newton from himself.
Hello?!
“The baker act only gives a 72 hour solution. It would not serve this man in any way other then to give him a funded ride downtown and a short vacation.
Simple answers are not.”
That is only true, in part. When a patient is held under the Baker Act, the admitting psychiatrist can deem the person a danger to himself or others and petition the court to hold him longer. This is the reason that court sessions are held weekly at psychiatric hospitals. I would recommend any person who comes in contact with this man and is fearful, based on his actions, to contact local law enforcement. The Baker Act, when used properly, CAN have an effect!
Who decided this person was “incompetant”? Was it court appointed psychiatrists? If it was through a certified court appointed psychiatrist, the State of Florida has an obligation to protect the community where he resides. Steps that need to be taken are #1, have him baker acted #2, appoint a guardian and #3, hold any guardian accountable for the actions of this person. If this person is truly “incompetant”!
The baker act only gives a 72 hour solution. It would not serve this man in any way other then to give him a funded ride downtown and a short vacation.
Simple answers are not.
REGARDING:
“Take a moment an review yourselves, how many of these charges have you avoided being caught or talked your way out of. I’m not saying that what he has done is not in Violation of the Law’s, BUT, this is America NOT Russia, NOT China, maybe a Third world town.
We do have Freedom, Justice, and Equality for all, RIGHT”
Putting yourself in the other fellow’s shoes is a good thing but have you really done all the things he has been charged with? did you really talk yourself out of trouble for lewd lascivious behavior toward a victim under 18, criminal mischief over $1,000, aggravated stalking, multiple and repeated battery charges?
I guess you learned your lessons well.
When you speak dismissively of “Violation of the Law’s, BUT, this is America NOT Russia, NOT China, maybe a Third world town.” you sound as if you think they are the only ones who expect laws to be obeyed. Interesting if true.
If I’m reading this correctly, the courts have decided he doesn’t have the mental capacity or function to understand what he keeps doing is wrong. That’s sad for him if true. It would be nice if help existed anywhere on earth to fix his problem. Me not know.
But equal justice would include protection of those being harmed. Thus, there isn’t really “justice and equality for all” which allows it to continue, is there? He isn’t the only one needing justice, not the only one needing protection.
David for a perfect world
For all your conservatives the only answer in this case is more government involvement. Lakeview USED to be subsidized by the state to house just these types of individuals but that funding has been cut due to conservative governor. By LAW you cannot be found guilty or a crime if you are incompetent to proceed with trial. The courts could send him to State Hospital at Chat. to gain competence to stand trial but then what? Taking care of the mentally ill IS societies responsibility. How do we do that, I have no idea.
If an individual is a threat to himself or someone else he can be Baker Acted on the spot. I know for a fact he has threatened others with bodily harm as I have heard it with my own ears. Flomaton PD was called and “didn’t want to get involved”. They knew him well and didn’t want to be bothered. If he were Baker Acted he would automatically spend a minimum time period in a facility for observation, which would surely prove he needs to committed. Also, to some comments, his family is very enabling.
WOW!!!!! The passion of the people exposed again. Kill him. Confine him with other’s in a Mental Institution. Our Judical System failed us again. A Pawn for Law Enforcement. Every town has a Ron Newton. Take a moment an review yourselves, how many of these charges have you avoided being caugnt or talked your way out of. I’m not saying that what he has done is not in Violation of the Law’s, BUT, this is America NOT Russia, NOT China, maybe a Third world town.
We do have Freedom, Justice, and Equality for all, RIGHT?
I believe that if he is compentent to have had a drivers license at one time then he is compentent enough to stand trial. I also believe that if he has mental issues that he should be sent to an inpatient facility that he can recieve the help that he needs and deserves. I don’t think that it is fair for people to get away with crimes because of illness.
When he kills someone, maybe he will be sent to a mental insitution for help or prison where the public will be safe. 15 times, what a joke our court system is!
WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO GET THIS MAN LOCKED UP WHERE HE CANT BOTHER OR HURT ANYONE ELSE,HE IS A TIME BOMB WAITING TO GO OFF IF A PERSON BOTHERS HIM THEY WILL GO TO JAIL AND WILL NOT BE OUT AS FAST AS THIS GUY LIBERTY AND NOT JUSTICE FOR ALL. THIS GUY HAS MENTAL PROBLEMS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED
STOP TALKING ABOUT WHAT YOU WOULD DO… AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.. LIKE FOR INSTANCE TRY TO SEE IF HIS FAMILY NEEDS HELP FINDING HIM SOME HELP… OR DO YOUR PART AND JUST SHUT UP IF YOU CAN’T HELP THIS GUY.. HE HAPPENS TO BE A VERY NICE MAN HE JUST HAS MENTAL ISSUES..
REGARDING:
” if I was this guy’s last victims I would be suing everyone who dismissed
his cases ”
I’m pretty sure you couldn’t do so–that they have immunity while conducting their duties. If higher courts decide they ruled wrongly, they can be overturned but it seems unlikely after this many rulings. And even then, they are free from punishment; it’s part of the concept of an independent judiciary. If judges ruled based on polls, we would not be a nation of laws because laws would mean nothing. It would be like a world full of Ronalds rather than just the few, the proud.
Maybe Doug can help him and protect him and others in the process.
David the hopeful
Until the world sees mental problems as a part of the physical body situations such as this will continue. Mental health care gets treated differently as if the person can either help it (as if it is a lifestyle choice!?). Mr. Newton does have needs. The needs can be assessed. If his criminal activities cannot be curtailed he needs to be where he as well as the people around him can be protected.
This man needs help, not to be released to do more harm to the public. William, please put the judges name on the site. We need to vote this person out whenever we get a chance. It is dangerous to have a judge on the bench who thinks that a person who is incompetent should be released back into society. I feel sorry that this man is not getting the help he needs.
Molinojim,
Are you saying he HAS to slip through the cracks?
What do they usually do with ppl who are dangerous but who aren’t competent
enough to stand trial? This is not the first time this type of person has been
out there?
OR is it just Pensacola who has no other recourse?
@anydaynow ok then, maybe next time he will *trespass* into your house, commit *aggravated assault* or *battery* to you and your household, then *litter* in your yard while naked (*disorderly conduct*), then *stalk* you afterwards. did i miss any? its very easy for ppl to forgive uncivilized behavior when it doesn’t happen to them. i deal with psychotics and ppl with mental illness plenty in my field. lots of them are just ppl who’ve never really been punished and made to own up for their irresponsibilities
Jon-the guy probably just has a very low IQ.
There used to be special housing available for people such as this that kept them safe and also kept them from interacting with the public in ways they are not capable of managing appropriately. If he weren’t poor he would have access to services that meet his, and the public’s, needs.
even people with down syndrome know the difference between right and wrong. this is obviously a violent person and he still needs to be in jail
Everyone… Calm down. Believe it or not, there are people who love him and are working to get him the help he needs for issues he has dealt with for a very long time. I know he has been a menace, but he can be saved.
Incompetent or not, the public needs to
be protected from this menace !
I be he is competent enough to realize that he can do whatever he wants and not have to worry about any consequenses. He doesnt need help, he needs to be locked up in prison.
EVERYONE HAS SO MUCH TO SAY.. BUT WHO’S WILLING TO REACH OUT TO THIS MAN.. YOU SEE HE NEEDS HELP BUT IS THERE ANYONE TRYING TO HELP OR JUST SIT AROUND AND COMPLAIN ABOUT THE PROBLEM???
The bad thing is that he has been charged with several felonies and the charges were dropped each time or was claimed incompetent to stand trial. I agree this man needs serious help. With his track history, he will not stop and it will most likely get worse.
Century already has a bad history. The people don’t need this added to it.
Horrific—Law enforcement has been doing it’s job and maybe the court system also. While it is easy to point a finger at the problem the question is what do you do with some one like this. The sad part is that some one will be hurt by this person or he will be hurt before the problem can or will be addressed. As I said–What do you do with some one like this?
So if he’s incompetent to stand so I think it also means he’s incompetent to understand the bad he’s done. So what keeps him from doing worse than he’s done? So he gets to roam freely and break laws? So are the police not suppose to arrest this guy anymore? Shame on you whoever the judge is! This guy is a community risk to the public. Hope you sleep well since he’s not in your neighborhood.
SERIOUSLY, they just released him!!!! Shouldn’t he have been sent to a mental hospital or something, this is just not right.
Oh, please, Davisville, we have the most liberal congress now and they have done what to fix the problem? Your statement is lame!
If this loony tooner kills someone, I wonder if it will be dismissed due to incompetence. I can’t believe this habitual offender will be walking the streets of Century again.
If he were to menace my family, I would solve his incompetence with 15 rounds from a 40 cal S&W. The judicial system is worthless so it is up to the individual to protect himself and his family.! This man is smart enough to outsmart the judicial system so let him stay free.
Outrageous! What will his next story on northescambia be? And how soon? It’s just a matter of time.
Some of these charges seem serious enough to me to warrant jail time (Battery 5 times, Aggravated assaught 2 times, Disorderly conduct 2 times, Driving W/Suspended license 2 times and W/ open cantainer, Lewd lascivious behavior victim under 18 @ 2 times, Driving while license suspended 2 times and so on) This looks like Escambia County model citizen. I don’t care that he may have some mental issues. He is a danger to everybody out here and when he hurts somebody its going to get ugly. What’s this world coming too!!!
There is no help available for mentally ill people in Ameria, period. Thats what years of conservatism in America does for you. Vote liberial.
Ok if I was this guys last victims I would be suing everyone who dismissed
his cases and just let him out to do these evil things again.
Thats why we have law enforcement and judges is to keep ppl like these
off the streets.
If they can’t do their jobs they need to not pick up their paychecks.
IF MY FAMILY OR I ARE THIS MANS NEXT VICTIM…..GET READY!
The state will not treat mentally ill and incompetent defendants unless they are charged with felony crime. Those accused of misdemeanors get no mental health treatment at state expense. So, until a sick person escalates to serious crime, no help from the state is available. If clearly a significant danger to self or others, a prrson can be committed to a mental hospital.
So he is now free to roam the streets again? This makes no sense,There has to be a place for people like him.One day he will come across someone who will not think twice to hurt or even kill him.His family needs to get this man some help.This is a scary situation.
This just ain’t right! He should be put someplace where he can’t commit crimes anymore. I feel sorry for the guy if he is mentally off and can’t behave but he should not be allowed in situations where he could do something anti-social or criminal.
So next time say he kills or rapes someone – is the judge gonna just slap his wrists and the charges be “dismissed due to incompetence”???
Century citizens should demand the state foot the bill for a home for him. He should not be free. Even he would be happier. Tell the polititions to quit voting themselves raises and use that money where if will do the some good – like for this case.
So why not get the guy some mental help and stop wasting the police forces time?How much times does the judge have to see this guy because he realized he had a mental problem?
They should make him go to a mental center , can’t a judge demand that? Let him stay for a while see if they can help him
This story frightens me!