Infamous porn star Ron Jeremy has had his rape trial put on hold amid claims the 69-year-old was 'incoherent' and was unable to recognise his own lawyer.
According to Rolling Stone, Jeremy's lawyer, Stuart Goldfarb, told Judge George Lomeli that he visited his client in his holding cell prior to the hearing, but Jeremy did not recognise him and appeared confused.
Goldfarb explained that he had concerns about Jeremy's mental competence and, therefore, his ability to assist in his own defence.
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"I was just up in the cell where he was being kept, and I tried to get his attention unsuccessfully," Goldfarb reportedly told the court.
"He was unable to determine who I was and wouldn’t accommodate both myself and the bailiff to fit into the wheelchair to come down here.
"I don’t think he should be forced to come down here under these circumstances."
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The judge set a hearing on April 19 to receive an update on the former porn king's condition, however, a full mental competency evaluation could take longer.
Jeremy has been in jail since 2020 following a slew of accusations made against him by multiple women.
The infamous adult film star previously pleaded not guilty to 12 counts of forcible rape, seven counts of forcible oral copulation, six counts of sexual battery by restraint, four counts of sexual penetration by a foreign object, two counts of sexual penetration of an unconscious or asleep person and one count each of sodomy by the use of force, assault with intent to commit rape and lewd act upon a child under the age of 14 or 15.
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Jeremy has repeatedly denied all allegations of improper conduct against him, speaking out in 2017 in a statement made to Rolling Stone.
"These allegations are pure lies or buyers' remorse," he said.Robert Gauthier/Pool via REUTERS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
"I have never and would never rape anyone. All serious allegations have been investigated by police and dismissed by judges, as have most of the accusations of 'groping'."
Despite the infamous sex star's previous statements, he now faces a slew of charges dating as far back as 1996.
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The trial was scheduled to begin in May, however it could be pushed back due to his now-pending competency evaluation.
USA Today reported that the Thursday (March 17) hearing was initially intended to deal with a motion - put forward by Jeremy and his legal team - to break the case into 21 separate trials.
“Allowing (Jeremy's) jury to hear about dozens of allegations of alleged misconduct will prevent his jurors from judging him fairly on each charged count and from scrupulously applying the burden of proof,” his motion read.
Those motions and the judge's rulings on them are now on hold.
Rachel Lang