Clayton County judge delays cases after concerns about defendantsmental health, orders evaluations and family outreach

State Court Judge Tammy Long Hayward on July 15 delayed or reset multiple matters after defense attorneys and family members told the court two defendants were not ready for plea or sentencing because of mental-health or placement issues.

Why it matters: Court appearances for people in custody who are not competent or who need clinical evaluation require different procedures and timelines. Delays affect jail population, scheduling and whether defendants can resolve cases by plea or on a time-served basis.

The court heard extended discussion about Jamal Brown, who was in custody and represented by counsel. Brown's mother, Dietra Walker, who lives in Chicago, told the judge she had given attorneys medication names and said the jail had not always provided consistent confirmation that her son was receiving those prescriptions. Walker said her son is diagnosed with mental illness and that family members want to be…