Competency Exam Ordered for Woman Charged in High-Speed Chase

OAK PARK – Judge David M. Gubow on Tuesday ordered mental competency and criminal responsibility forensic examinations for Julie White, 47, of Madison Heights, who faces felony charges after allegedly pulling a knife on a  officer, then leading law enforcement agents on a high-speed chase.

White was arrested July 16 after pulling a knife on Lt. Billy Spencer, whom she then bumped with her car, before leading officers on through construction zones on I-696 and ending in St. Clair Shores, according to a police report.

The judge's order Tuesday in 45B District Court came after defense attorney Todd Kaluzny told the court that White has a 30-year history of mental illness and recently was "pushed over the edge" by stress stemming from her husband's kidney failure.

White's husband and more than a half-dozen other supporters were in the courtroom Tuesday.

"She does have tremendous family support," Kaluzny said, adding that White has no previous criminal history.

During the proceedings, a listless, handcuffed White sat slumped over in a navy blue Oakland County Jail uniform. She did not address the judge.

Kaluzny said White is being held in a part of the Oakland County Jail where prisoners are monitored constantly for mental health issues. She is not taking her medication or eating, he said, adding that her behavior during his visits has been erratic.

As such, Kaluzny sought a $15,000 personal bond with the condition that White go to an in-patient mental health facility for treatment. Gubow granted the request with the caveat that once her treatment is completed, her bond will revert to $15,000 or she must return to Oakland County Jail.

Gubow did not set another court date, pending White's mental competency examination at the Michigan Department of Community Health Center for Forensic Psychiatry in Ann Arbor.

"They are kind of victims in state government," he said. "So, they might not have as many examiners.

"We will monitor this."