Judge Finds Jacksonville Man Incompetent for Trial
A federal judge ruled William Upham not fit to stand trial on charges of threatening to kill the president.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Terrorism
William Upham, who was indicted for allegedly threatening to kill the president in video posts, has been found not competent to stand trial. The court has ordered him transferred to a facility for competency restoration following a psychiatric examination.
Why it matters
The ruling delays the legal proceedings against Upham, who faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison if convicted. The court must now monitor his progress through status reports to determine if he will eventually be fit to proceed to trial.
A doctor performed a psychiatric examination that led the court to find Upham not competent to proceed. Prosecutors are now required to file status reports every 90 days as the defendant undergoes competency restoration.
The players
William Upham
He is a former Marine who was medically discharged from the military in May 2025.
U.S. Secret Service
This federal law enforcement agency is responsible for protecting the president and investigating threats made against them.
The details
Upham was arrested on July 16 after allegedly posting threatening videos between July 13 and July 15. The U.S. Secret Service investigated the content before his indictment and subsequent court appearance.
Timeline
May 30, 2025: Upham was medically discharged from the Marine Corps.
July 13-15, 2026: Upham allegedly posted videos threatening the president.
July 16, 2026: Upham was arrested.
October 20, 2026: A judge held a status conference and found the defendant incompetent.
February 2027: A trial is currently scheduled to occur.
Legal Context
This case adheres to the federal competency standard for criminal defendants, which requires that a person must be mentally fit to understand proceedings against them. Courts in Jacksonville frequently utilize these protocols to ensure due process is upheld when mental health issues are identified.
While the proceedings are now focused on medical restoration rather than immediate trial, the local public remains informed through the court's periodic status reporting. There is no specific safety advisory currently issued to Jacksonville residents regarding this matter.
The takeaway
When a defendant is found incompetent, the court shifts from an adversarial process to a restoration program to ensure the individual meets the legal threshold for trial. This pause ensures that constitutional rights are preserved even when serious threats against the president are alleged.
What happens next
Prosecutors are mandated to file status reports every 90 days to update the court on Upham's progress toward competency, with a trial date tentatively set for February 2027.
Further reading
For more information on legal proceedings involving security threats, visit the Jacksonville Terrorism section.
