The suspected ringleader of an alleged Social Security fraud scheme in which police say mentally disabled people were held captive in a basement may not completely understand the seriousness of the charges against her, her lawyer said Monday.
Linda Ann Weston, 51, along with her boyfriend, Gregory Thomas, 47, and Eddie “the Rev. Ed” Wright, 50, are charged with kidnapping, assault, false imprisonment and other counts. At a brief initial court appearance Monday, Municipal Judge Felice Rowley Stack scheduled a preliminary hearing for Dec. 19.
The suspects, all of whom are in custody, did not appear in court. A fourth person, Weston's daughter, Jean McIntosh, 32, is also charged and has a hearing scheduled for Wednesday.
George S. Yacoubian Jr., a lawyer who represents Weston, said after the hearing that he has met with the woman and plans to do a more comprehensive interview to evaluate her mental state.
He declined to comment on if she had a history of mental issues, but said a competency examination would be a good idea.
“I don't know if she understands what the allegations are,” Yacoubian said outside court, describing his client as “fatigued” and “lethargic.”
“At this point, I do not think she appreciates the seriousness of the charges,” he said.
The victims, who authorities say have the mental capacity of 10-year-olds, were discovered by a landlord at a Philadelphia apartment building on Oct. 15. They were malnourished and one was chained to a boiler, according to police.
Eight children and four young adults linked to the defendants were taken into protective custody.
Weston, Thomas and Wright had recently moved into the building in the city's Tacony section with Weston's daughter, McIntosh.
Investigators are working to discover the extent of the alleged scheme after finding more than 50 Social Security cards, power of attorney documents and other such forms in McIntosh's apartment.
Perry de Marco Jr., a lawyer who represents Thomas, said he met with his client for about three hours but still has little information.
“He was extremely worried,” de Marco said after the hearing.
Louis D'Onofrio, an attorney for Wright, did not immediately respond to a telephone message after the hearing.
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