Psychiatric Exam Ordered for Doctor Accused of Making Death Threats

(Originally published Oct. 12, 2016) ROYAL OAK, MI — Doctors will examine a 47-year-old physician to determine if he's fit to stand trial. Defense attorney Michael McCarthy requested the examination for Dr. Kumar Singh during a hearing Tuesday before Judge Jamie Wittenberg, and the judge has ordered the psychiatric exam, according to media reports.

Singh, who is facing charges after allegedly making death threats on social media, by phone and by text message targeting several court officials, is being held on $1 million bond.

Doctors will examine Singh to determine whether he’s criminally responsible and competent to stand trial, CBS Detroit reported. The medical director and operator of the GreenLite medical marijuana clinic in Troy, Singh is charged with 22 criminal charges, including using a computer, the internet and telecommunications to threaten to kill about a half-dozen people.

The people threatened include Oakland County Prosecutor Jessica Cooper and a retired judge. Genesee County prosecutors are handling the case after Cooper recused herself.

Singh was arrested on Sept. 12 after search warrants executed pursuant to the investigation of these threats turned up “weapons and other evidence” at Singh’s Royal Oak residence, prosecutors say. At the time, Leyton said evidence gathered at Singh’s apartment indicated he planned to carry out his threats.

On Sept. 27, Singh wept at the sight of his parents in the courtroom at his probable cause hearing in 44th District Court. He was arraigned earlier this month on 21 felonies and one misdemeanor, including false threat of terrorism; multiple terrorism counts of using a computer, the internet and telecommunications devices to commit a crime; and ethnic intimidation. The charges could send Singh to prison for up to 20 years.

Mugshot via Oakland County Jail