Terrorism Case Against Pot Doctor Delayed Again

ROYAL OAK, MI — A former medical marijuana doctor is awaiting his day in court on charges that he made death threats against public officials. Kumar Abhigyan Singh has sat in jail for months on a $1 million bond, with his case delayed numerous times as prosecutors and defense lawyers spar over his mental health, according to a media report.

He has been represented by three different defense lawyers. The latest delay came on Friday, April 28, when Judge Jamie Wittenberg, of the 44th District Court, deferred Singh's preliminary examination hearing to May 26.

Singh, 47, pleaded not guilty in September to 21 felony charges, including terrorism, using a computer to commit a crime and ethnic intimidation, the Royal Oak Review reported. He's accused of making death threats against Oakland County Prosecutor Jessica Cooper and others.

Singh is the former medical director and owner of the GreenLite Clinic in Troy. The judge delayed his preliminary examination because the original prosecutor on the case could not attend the hearing on April 28, the Review reported.

Police and prosecutors say that Singh made the death threats on the weekend of Friday, Sept. 9, 2016, against prosecutors, judges, attorneys, bailiffs and others. They said he was angered over what he perceived to be mistreatment in a criminal case in the Oakland County Circuit Court, according to the Royal Oak Review. Singh claimed the case damaged his reputation, though he was not a defendant.

On Sept. 12, police officers searched Singh's Royal Oak home and "said they found weapons and further evidence to support the charges," the Review stated.

Since his arraignment a few days later, Singh's case has faced delays due to a months-long psychological evaluation and continuances requested by prosecutors.

Singh's first attorney withdrew from the case, citing a crushing workload from his law practice. His second attorney, a court-appointed lawyer, requested the evaluation, according to the Review.

A forensic psychologist determined that Singh was mentally competent to stand trial, and Wittenberg ruled Feb. 7 that the case would proceed. By that time, Singh had retained a third attorney, Paul Stablein.

In February, Stablein said that Singh has "significant mental health issues" that will come out later in the case, according to the Review.

On the other side, the case is being handled by the Genesee County Prosecutor’s Office, as Oakland County prosecutors have recused themselves from the case.

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