INDReporter

Braxton Moody not competent for trial

Commitment to mental institution means the local businessman will be entered into the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System and unable to own a firearm upon his release.

Braxton Moody IV

The Advocate reported Thursday that Braxton Moody IV, a member of the prominent Moody family of Lafayette, has been deemed mentally unfit to stand trial.

The 66-year-old, arrested July 27 after allegedly shooting into an unoccupied vehicle, has since been committed to a state mental hospital. Citing court records, the paper reported that Moody must undergo more intense treatment at that facility to help restore his competency. According to the paper:

Heeding the recommendations of the two psychiatric professionals appointed to Moody’s sanity commission, 15th Judicial District Judge Patrick Michot signed the commitment order on Oct. 21.

Moody’s commitment means he must be entered into the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System, which would prevent him from buying a firearm upon his release. The stipulation is part of an almost 2-year-old state law that requires all involuntary commitments be reported to the federal database to prevent mentally ill people from buying guns.

Read The Advocate story here and The Independent’s July report here.