WARNING: THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS DETAILS OF GRAPHIC CONTENT.
Thomas Markle will undergo a psychiatric evaluation to determine if he is mentally fit to stand trial on child porn charges.
On Friday, US Magistrate Judge Lindsay Griffin in Tampa, Florida, wrote in a two-page order that the 82-year-old father of Meghan Markle should undergo a psychiatric assessment after his initial court appearance raised concern, per Reuters.
Griffin said in the court filing that she found “reasonable cause to believe” that Thomas may “suffer from a mental disease or defect rendering him mentally incompetent to the extent that he is unable to understand the nature and consequences of the proceedings against him or to assist properly in his defense.”
The Florida-based judge said she based her findings on information provided about Thomas’ health condition, his “advanced age, and lack of recall.”
Forensic psychiatrist Dr. Amie Gerodimos has been ordered to conduct an independent psychiatric exam of Thomas to see if he can stand trial.
Dr. Gerodimos is slated to report back to the court on Nov. 20.
Last Friday, Thomas was arrested for possession of child porn in Florida, sources confirmed to The Post.
Page Six obtained images of Thomas — who got his leg amputated last year — being wheeled out of his nursing home while in handcuffs.
The Markle matriarch then appeared in court, where he did not enter a plea.
The judge released Thomas on personal recognizance to home detention at the dementia care facility with electronic monitoring.
He cannot have access to the internet and cannot have any contact with minors.
Unsealed court documents unveiled disturbing details about the child abuse material that police uncovered inside storage units belonging to Thomas.
Authorities found “sexually explicit photographs” of Thomas “with prepubescent girls,” according to the criminal complaint filed by special agent Laura Carter last Friday.
Among the disturbing images found inside were photos of a man — the FBI identified a Thomas — performing sexually abusive acts on a female who appeared to be prepubescent.
Thomas has maintained his innocence, telling the Daily Mail last month: “I could never do what I’m being accused of. It’s the worst thing anyone could accuse me of.”
Meghan, 45, has not issued a statement about her father’s arrest.
On Tuesday, the “Suits” alum held her husband Prince Harry’s hand at an event about online child safety at the European Parliament in Brussels as she made her first public appearance since Thomas was charged.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-330-0226.
The post Thomas Markle court docs reveal truth about 82-year-old’s shocking mental decline amid child porn probe appeared first on Page Six.
