Judge Orders Psychiatric Evaluation for Thomas Markle

The order followed Markle’s initial court appearance on Friday. U.S. Magistrate Judge Lindsay Griffin cited his age, health condition and lack of recall in finding reasonable cause to question whether he could understand the proceedings and assist in his defense. She appointed a forensic psychiatrist to examine him and set November 20 as the deadline for a report to the court.

Markle faces one federal charge involving possession of illicit images of minors. Prosecutors allege that he kept explicit images, including photographs of himself with underage girls, in storage units in the Los Angeles area. The FBI said agents seized material from units he had rented since 2008. Authorities in Mexico have also said they found child sexual abuse material in a storage unit there.

No plea was entered at Friday’s hearing. Markle was released on personal recognizance, with conditions including home detention and electronic monitoring. He is also barred from traveling beyond the federal court’s Florida jurisdiction or its California counterpart.

Markle has denied the allegations, saying he had never downloaded such material. His son, Thomas Markle Jr., told a tabloid he had reported images to Philippine police and contacted the FBI. Philippine authorities said they opened an investigation after his personal items were given to law enforcement.

A federal prosecutor said the allegations were serious and that the government would pursue the case. If convicted, Markle could face up to 20 years in prison.