Prison recording highlighted in court
Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Michael Jeffries appeared in federal court in Central Islip, New York, on Tuesday as a three-day mental competency hearing began. During testimony, a defense psychologist referenced a recorded prison call in which Jeffries said doctors “better find me incompetent.”
The recording was made last year while Jeffries, 81, was housed for four months in the mental health unit of a federal prison in North Carolina. His legal team is seeking to establish that he is not mentally fit to stand trial on sex trafficking charges. Jury selection is currently scheduled for October 26.
Defense cites cognitive decline
Jeffries has pleaded not guilty to charges alleging that he used his wealth and position to exploit aspiring male models. Two co-defendants — longtime partner Matthew Smith and associate James T. Jacobson — have also pleaded not guilty.
Defense expert Jacqueline C. Valdes, a clinical neuropsychologist, testified that Jeffries’ comment about incompetence reflected disinhibited behavior associated with dementia. Addressing U.S. District Judge Nusrat Choudhury, Valdes said Jeffries frequently displayed inappropriate or overly personal conduct during examinations.
According to Valdes, Jeffries has a decade-long history of cognitive impairment linked to advancing Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia. She testified that symptoms include hallucinations, wandering, delusional thinking and acting out dreams. She also referenced a 2018 fall during a trip to South Africa, which she said may have worsened his condition.
Testing results and medical findings
Valdes told the court that brain scans show signs of atrophy and other markers consistent with dementia. She said Jeffries performed in the bottom 3% for his age when asked to name fruits and vegetables, and in the bottom 1% when recalling a list of 16 words.
While acknowledging that Jeffries retains strong conversational abilities, Valdes testified that his memory and comprehension are significantly impaired. The defense argues that such impairments could lead him to make self-incriminating statements in court.
Prosecution disputes incompetence claim
Federal prosecutors maintain that Jeffries is competent to stand trial. They cite evaluations conducted after his release from the prison medical facility, asserting that he understands the charges and can assist in his defense. Prosecutors plan to call three expert witnesses and present excerpts of the prison recordings during the hearing.
Jeffries is currently free on $10 million bail. If convicted of sex trafficking and interstate prostitution charges, he and his co-defendants face mandatory minimum sentences of 15 years and up to life imprisonment.