Doctors in Homeless Assault Case Need More Time to Assess Man's Competency

Doctors trying to assess the mental condition of Michael Ray Nootz, who is accused of threatening the lives of homeless men, said they need more information to complete their psychiatric evaluation.

Nootz, 56, was charged with first-degree harassment and assault while displaying a weapon last July for allegedly threatening homeless men and one other man in Ames.

He was involuntary committed to a state mental institution in Cherokee on Nov. 28, a day after his November jury trial was set to begin. Doctors have been asked to evaluate Nootz's mental state in order for a judge to determine whether he is competent to stand trial.

In a letter to the court, doctors requested information about his charges and their possible outcomes, evidence police have against the man and photographs of evidence seized from the man's home as well as permission to speak to the man's former employer, Union Pacific Railroad.

Nootz's attorney has filed a motion to dismiss the competency hearing stating that Nootz is being held illegally because the court never held a hearing to establish that Nootz might be suffering from a mental disorder.

Nootz has said he feared that members of the Freight Train Riders of America gang had a presence in Ames and launched a write-in campaign for Story County Sheriff's Office in late October.

According to trial information, Nootz allegedly threatened two homeless men and a third man while displaying a gun in a threatening manner.

Nootz, an engineer with Union Pacific, has said he was searching for members of a gang that illegally rides train cars and had dogs with them, but didn't find them and didn't threaten the men's lives as they have alleged.

SEE MORE ON PATCH

• Ames Man Who Wanted to Rid Area of 'Hobo Train Gang' and Ran for Sheriff Now Picked Up for Evaluation
• Ames Man Who Wants to Rid Area of Hobo Train Gang Launches Write-in Campaign for Sheriff
• UPDATE: Police Said Man Accused of Death Threats Appeared to be Targeting Homeless