Suspect In Lodi Dog Park Beating Found Incompetent to Stand Trial
LODI (CBS13) — The family of a Lodi woman who was beaten at a dog park with a baseball bat is dealing with a new court ruling, after the teenage girl accused in the attack has been found not competent to stand trial.
Dulce Rios, 17, had her arraignment, but soon after, court proceedings were suspended.
Rios was arrested in a brutal baseball attack on Jackie Pickett while she walked her dogs at Lodi's Beckman Dog Park. Pickett suffered severe head trauma and spent days in the hospital.
Two court-appointed doctors found Rios not competent on Thursday, either meaning she didn't understand what was going on in court or that she was unable to assist her attorney in her defense.
"I kind of suspected this was going to be the case," Pickett's mother Amber Gomes said. "Ultimately the goal is just justice. I understand this is going to take some time and it's going to be quite a while before we get answers."
Being found incompetent is not the same as being found criminally insane. Criminal defense attorney Harry Hudson does not represent Rios, but says the next step for her is competency training.
In San Joaquin County, the mental health office will find Rios placement for the competency training. Hudson says it's usually the state-run hospital in Napa. For the next six months, Rios will learn the basics of the court, why she's there, who her attorney is, and the proceedings in the court.
"As long as she's kept away from the public, in my opinion, is the most important thing," Gomes said.
Rios will be tested again before returning to court to face attempted murder charges.
