Federal judge denies new psychiatric exam of Quintez Brown

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A judge Wednesday declined to order a new psychiatric examination of Quintez Brown, who faces federal charges in the 2022 shooting at then-mayoral candidate Craig Greenberg's office.

Federal prosecutors had requested a second evaluation to determine if Brown was insane at the time of the shooting. A Bureau of Prisons doctor who interviewed Brown in 2023 concluded that "there is no evidence to indicate (Brown) suffered from a mental disease or defect that rendered him unable" to appreciate what he had done, according to court records.

That conflicted with exams commissioned by Brown's defense lawyers that found that Brown had "a serious mental illness involving a major mood disorder and psychosis" and couldn't "conform his conduct to the requirements of the law."

U.S. government lawyers sought a new exam, arguing that as a matter of fairness they needed a second expert to evaluate the conclusions of the defense team's psychologist. But Rob Eggert, one of Brown's attorneys, argued that government doctors had a "green light" to examine Brown thoroughly.

U.S. District Judge Benjamin Beaton agreed in a bench ruling and emphasized that experts will be able to give their opinions at Brown's trial scheduled for August. "I don't see a basis for ordering a second exam," Beaton said, calling another evaluation "extremely intrusive."

Brown spent from March to July 2023 at a Washington prison for the government's evaluation, which the judge noted resulted in delays in the court case and Brown having no access to his attorneys.

Brown appeared Wednesday in a short-sleeved green polo shirt at Louisville's federal courthouse downtown, softly answering questions from Beaton. He waved to a group of supporters after the hearing, saying, "Love y'all, man," as he left the courtroom.

Brown, a former activist and one-time Metro Council candidate, faces a possible sentence of life in prison on charges that he interfered with a federally protected right, shot a gun during a violent crime and tried to kill a candidate for elected office. He has pleaded not guilty.

He also faces state court charges of attempted murder and wanton endangerment.

Brown was arrested Feb. 14, 2022, shortly after police said he used a 9 mm Glock to fire shots into Greenberg's campaign office in Butchertown. Prosecutors argue Brown had a "plan of action" that started months before when he bought a gun and practiced shooting it at an Indiana gun range.

In February 2022, according to prosecutors, Brown looked online for the addresses of Greenberg's home and campaign office. Brown allegedly went to Greenberg's house on Feb. 13, 2022, with the firearm, but the gun jammed when he put a bullet in incorrectly.

The following morning, prosecutors say Brown bought another gun and went to Greenberg's office on Story Avenue. No one in the campaign office was injured, but Greenberg was grazed by a bullet that left a hole in his sweater.

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