Accused bank robber deemed unfit to stand trial

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — A judge has ruled that a man accused of robbing a bank in the northeastern North Dakota town of Gilby is incompetent to stand trial.

Judge Ralph Erickson has ordered that Clifton Patterson be treated for mental problems for up to four months.

Patterson, of Grand Forks, and William Collins, of Nashville, Tenn., are charged in federal court with robbing the Bremer Bank in Gilby of more than $50,000 in May 2009.

Ron Nieberding, a doctor who evaluated Patterson, testified at a Tuesday hearing that Patterson has a history of mental problems including schizophrenia and also has a lengthy criminal record.

Tags: daily updates, grand forks, crime, gilby, collins, patterson