Suspected Davis serial killer to undergo mental assessment; court proceedings stalled
WOODLAND – The court proceedings for Carlos Dominguez – the suspect charged in the deadly Davis stabbings – have been suspended so that he can undergo a psychiatric assessment.
Dominguez appeared in Yolo County court on Monday and his defense attorney declared a doubt about his client's mental competency, the district attorney's office said. This led to the judge suspending court proceedings until it can be determined whether he understands the court process.
Monday's appearance saw Dominguez show up in court still wearing a restrictive vest known as a "safety smock," which is standard for inmates on suicide watch. He also wore it at his first court appearance.
Unlike his first court appearance, Dominguez was noticeably more talkative during Monday's hearing. For the first time, the public heard Dominguez speak a full sentence in court. He sounded timid.
"I don't want an attorney," Dominguez said. "I would like to take it upon myself, if possible."
The moment, requesting he represents himself, was captured after his public defender, Daniel Hutchinson, spoke on Dominguez's behalf.
"Your Honor, it is my firm opinion that my client is not mentally competent," Hutchinson said. "I am therefore requesting the court initiate competency proceedings."
The judge granted the request, halting the trial in this high-profile double murder case, while Dominguez undergoes a series of psychiatric tests.
Legal expert and attorney Mark Reichel calls the move necessary if a defendant does not understand what is happening in court and can not help in his own defense.
" They call it declaring a doubt," Reichel said.
Still, Reichel believes the DA will likely fight for competency, using any recordings of interviews Dominguez has given in custody.
"I think, in this case, the DA is going to have everything they can get their hands on to prove, 'Look, this guy's competent to understand what's going on and he can assist, he just doesn't want to,' " Reichel said.
Dominguez entered not-guilty pleas to all charges in his first court appearance earlier in May. He is being charged with murdering David Breaux and Karim Abou Najm, as well as attempting to kill Kimberlee Guillory.
The DA's office noted that Dominguez remains on a no-bail hold.
His next court date has been scheduled for June 20.
