Judge Roger Young has ordered that Margie Brown undergo a mental health or intellectual-disability evaluation to determine whether she is competent to stand trial on multiple serious charges arising from a 2025 U‑Haul police chase and fatal crash in downtown Charleston, South Carolina.
Background on the crash and charges
Brown was driving a rented U‑Haul truck in April 2025 when North Charleston police attempted a traffic stop after observing a traffic violation, but she refused to stop and a pursuit began. Officers reported cancelling the pursuit due to traffic conditions and Brown’s alleged reckless driving, but she continued, driving against traffic on Meeting Street and ultimately striking a Mercedes‑Benz, which then hit a motorcycle and another vehicle. The crash killed two people and injured several others; reports indicate at least one motorcyclist and another victim died, and multiple people from the vehicles and as pedestrians were hospitalized.
Brown now faces charges including reckless homicide caused by vehicular injury, failure to stop for blue lights resulting in death, multiple counts of failure to stop for blue lights resulting in bodily injury, reckless homicide by vehicle, and a traffic violation for an improper turn on red. She was booked into the Al Cannon Detention Center, where bond was denied on the most serious charges, with only a small bond set for the minor traffic offense.
Competency concerns and evaluation order
Court officials have expressed that they do not believe Brown is currently competent to understand the criminal proceedings, citing what they describe as a “delusional view of the law and the legal defenses” she intends to rely on. Reports also note that Brown identifies as a “sovereign citizen,” claiming she is not bound by traditional laws, which has influenced her courtroom behavior and defense posture. She has reportedly refused to leave her cell to attend hearings, reinforcing concerns that she may not meaningfully participate in her own defense.
Under the judge’s order, Brown must be examined and observed at an appropriate facility by the state Department of Mental Health if she is suspected of a mental illness, or by the Department of Disabilities and Special Needs if an intellectual or related disability is suspected. The purpose of this evaluation is to render an opinion on whether she is competent to stand trial—that is, whether she can understand the nature of the proceedings and assist in her defense.
Self‑representation and attorney history
Brown chose to represent herself after firing her fourth attorney during a courtroom hearing in October 2025, telling the court she believed she was her “own best defense.” She had previously filed motions seeking to remove each of her earlier three attorneys after her initial arrest on April 27, 2025, leading to a series of attorney changes before she elected self‑representation. This pattern, combined with her unconventional legal theories and refusal to appear, contributed to the court’s decision to question her competency and order a formal evaluation.
