Court finds two defendants incompetent; orders restoration and considers interstate transfer

A Jefferson County judge found that defendant Kevin Tran is not competent to stand trial and ordered inpatient competency restoration for up to 120 days. Separately, the court received a report that Michael White remains not competent to stand trial and discussed alternatives for placing White with his mother in Florida to pursue an outpatient or gateway program that might support restoration.

The judge reviewed competency reports in court. For Tran the court took judicial notice of a competency evaluation dated July 21, 2025, which concluded Tran was not competent and recommended inpatient restoration. The judge ordered that Tran be sent to an appropriate inpatient facility for up to 120 days so clinicians can attempt restoration and return a report to the court.

For Michael White the court read a report from a behavioral-science center dated April 4, 2025, which concluded White remained not competent and opined that outpatient restoration could be considered but local outpatient programming is not available. Defense counsel said White’s mother in Florida had located a "gateway" program that might be able to provide the needed transition and rehabilitation; the court directed probation and defense to coordinate logistics, transportation and documentation so White can be placed with his mother if the program and custodial arrangements can be made. The judge and counsel agreed to work with probation to prepare an order and logistics for transfer rather than advance a revocation or other adversarial step while restoration options are arranged.

The court distinguished the procedural outcomes: Tran was ordered to inpatient restoration at a named facility for a defined maximum period; White’s path was left contingent on successful coordination with probation and the receiving program in Florida, with the court instructing the parties to prepare documentation and an administrative order to effect the move if feasible.