Mentally ill or faking it?

We've heard in the past about people who are normal and mentally coherent who try to claim mental incapacity as a reason they cannot stand trial for a crime they admit to committing, or as a defense to the crime. There's a process in place in which these defendants are evaluated by psychologists who determine their mental capacity and their fitness to stand trial. Now, I have folks in the mental health profession in my family; and even perhaps some who are mentally ill in my family, so I in no way hope to discount the ability of mental health professionals or the reality of mental illness.

Recently in North Carolina, a judge ruled that a man who came to court for his trial in a suit and tie and with his own feces smeared all over himself, would stand trial. The defendant, Artives Freeman, apparently again, despite being in restraints, smeared feces on himself for his competency hearing. As a lay person, let me say, this sounds pretty crazy to me. Well, after evaluation by a trained professional, Freeman was determined to be faking mental illness, and he will stand trial. There are more details to this case, as outlined in an Aug. 25 Charlotte Observer article, like the fact that Freeman wants to represent himself and the judge determined he wasn't competent for that. The judge also left the door open for the defense to revisit the diminished mental capacity issue - as they have established Freeman's intellect is "significantly below average", but according to the psychologist, he is not mentally retarded.

I know what this situation looks like to me, but the reality is that I haven't met this man and should leave the determination of his sanity/mental fitness to the pros. But, my goodness, it must be a tough job. Is he mentally ill or faking it?