TRENTON, N.J. – New Jersey's highest court has ruled that people found mentally competent to stand trial can't be forced to plead insanity against their will.
The state Supreme Court ruling issued Wednesday overturns the 2009 acquittal of a woman accused of stalking a therapist. The judge imposed the plea despite the woman's refusal to accept it.
The ruling means a judge must re-evaluate whether 55-year-old June Gorthy is competent to stand trial and, if she is, retry her on a stalking charge.
Gorthy was accused of stalking a psychotherapist who lived in Manasquan.
Court records indicate the Colorado woman became obsessed with the therapist after they met at a conference. Gorthy then drove across the country to be with her despite rejections from the therapist.
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