An accused's autism spectrum disorder does not preclude a finding of fitness to stand trial where the trial judge, having considered conflicting psychiatric evidence, is not persuaded on the balance of probabilities that the accused is unable to follow the course of the trial or properly defend the charge. The accused's presentation during earlier police interviews is relevant to the fitness assessment even where the interviews occurred some months before the hearing. Where expert evidence establishes no causal link between an offender's autism and the commission of murder, the mental impairment does not reduce moral culpability, though the additional burden of imprisonment may be taken into account in fixing the minimum term.
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