MIAMI — A federal judge who must decide whether alleged al-Qaida operative Jose Padilla is mentally fit for trial said Wednesday that the former Chicago gang member hasn’t behaved strangely but may not be cooperating with his attorneys.

“I think everyone would agree that Mr. Padilla is almost polite to a fault,” U.S. District Judge Marcia Cooke said on the fourth and final day of competency hearings.

Cooke said that one psychologist had found Padilla “gracious,” and she said he had not demonstrated any odd behavior or outbursts in the courtroom or while in custody.

But she also questioned prosecutors about defense lawyers’ claims that the 36-year-old U.S. citizen had refused to discuss many aspects of his case. Defense attorneys say Padilla suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder stemming from isolation and interrogation during 3½ years as an enemy combatant at a Navy brig.

“By refusing to discuss vast sections of his case _ is that not in and of itself an inability to assist counsel?” Cooke asked.

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