Charges dropped against elderly brother in child porn case

Published 1:30 am Thursday, October 26, 2017

Associated Press

SEATTLE — Charges have been dropped against an 82-year-old man accused in a child pornography case that has stretched from Seattle to Shelton and also includes his two elderly brothers.

KOMO-TV reports the charges were dismissed this week after a King County Superior Court judge ruled that

Charles Emery, 82, lacks the capacity to understand the proceedings and assist in his own defense.

An examination at Western State Hospital determined Emery is unlikely to become competent within a reasonable time to stand trial.

He was diagnosed with dementia earlier this year and court documents say he is “suffering from a severe and persistent mental illness.”

Emery is one of three elderly brothers arrested in August.

Court documents say the brothers had sexually abused female relatives. Emery’s 80-year-old brother, Daniel Emery, has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

A third brother, Edwin Emery, is also charged. He was earlier reported to be in intensive care at Harborview Medical Center.