A Michigan judge has ordered William Bricker to undergo a psychiatric evaluation to determine if the former Winnetka teacher is competent enough to understand his pending extradition to Wyoming.
The evaluation was ordered by a Grand Traverse County judge in court Dec. 4. The ruling was confirmed by Bricker’s attorney Michael D. Lewis via email Thursday morning.
“The judge ordered the Michigan Center for Forensic Psychiatry to evaluate Mr. Bricker for mental competency to undergo extradition proceedings,” Lewis wrote. “This process could take a few weeks to complete as Mr. Bricker is not well enough to travel. The mental health evaluator will likely have to travel to northern Michigan to conduct a competency evaluation.”
Grand Traverse County Prosecuting Attorney Robert Cooney said it may take up to 60 days for the Michigan Center for Forensic Psychiatry to perform the exam and issue its report to the court.
Bricker, 94, is allegedly in poor health and was living in a nursing home in Michigan when he was arrested Sept. 23. Lewis has argued Bricker is “terminally ill” and would not survive an extradition to Wyoming or possible trial.
“The judge has not determined if Mr. Bricker is physically able to be transported halfway across the continent,” Lewis wrote. “(Bricker’s) doctors think such an ordeal would kill him.”
Earlier this year, authorities in Teton County, Wyo., charged Bricker with one count of immoral acts with a child and on count immoral or indecent acts. Bricker is alleged to have sexually abused two boys while he served as a scout master at the Teton Valley Ranch Camp in Wyoming. The crimes allegedly took place in 1962 and 1985.
Bricker was employed as a physical education teacher at Hubbard Woods School in Winnetka from 1949 to 1985.
Documents released by the Winnetka Public Schools earlier this year reveal allegations of sexual assault against Bricker date back to at least 1968, while he was employed in Winnetka.
According to the Winnetka Police Department, two former students recently contacted them regarding allegations against Bricker.
One student claimed Bricker “reached his hand up her dress” in 1958, while another alleged Bricker had “unlawful conduct with a student” in 1979. Both cases were closed when it was determined the statute of limitations had expired.
