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WOODLAND, Calif. (CN) — A doctor helping treat a man accused in the fatal stabbings of two people in Davis, California, said in a report that she believes he will one day be able to stand trial.
Attorneys in the murder and attempted murder case of Carlos Dominguez, 22, appeared Wednesday in Yolo County Superior Court for a 90-day review. Found incompetent to stand trial in August, Dominguez currently is being treated at a state hospital in Atascadero.
Judge Samuel McAdam read from a report by Dr. Hayley Wechsler, who said Dominguez needs more time in the hospital for stabilization and treatment. Doctors will evaluate his competency before writing their next report, expected in May.
“At this time, there is substantial likelihood that Mr. Dominguez will be restored to trial competency,” the judge read.
McAdam then ordered that Dominguez stay at the state hospital for treatment and receive involuntary medication. He also set the next hearing for May 24.
The report on Dominguez reached McAdam only after his staff made multiple calls and requests to the state hospital. Dominguez’s 90-day hearing initially was set for Dec. 8. However, it was postponed to Wednesday when the report wasn’t available.
Prosecutors said Wednesday that they received the report, dated Nov. 7, the following day. However, McAdam didn’t get it until Tuesday, and Dominguez’s attorney saw it for the first time Wednesday morning.
Deputy District Attorney Matt De Moura said he didn’t realize the others never received the report. In the future, he’ll forward any reports to the judge and defense attorney.
“Let’s hope they fix their protocols, right?” McAdam said of the state hospital.
The city of Davis was set on edge after the fatal stabbings of David Henry Breaux, 50, and Karim Abou Najm, 20, this past April. Kimberlee Guillory, a woman in her 60s, was stabbed multiple times in a homeless encampment. Authorities arrested Dominguez on May 3 in connection with the stabbings. He pleaded not guilty.
His competency in question, Dominguez apologized and said he was guilty at a hearing in June. However, McAdam ruled that because Dominguez’s competency was in question, nothing he said could be used to convict him.
Prosecutors declined to accept a doctor’s report that Dominguez wasn’t competent and requested a trial, which began in late July.
Jurors were told they weren’t sitting in judgment of Dominguez’s guilt. Instead, their purpose was to determine whether he was competent to stand trial. They were to decide whether Dominguez could understand the trial proceeding, help his attorney in his defense and comprehend his role in the trial.
Witnesses, including a former girlfriend and housemates, testified about seeing Dominguez’s mental health deteriorate over time. His well-groomed appearance devolved, and he lost weight. At one point he told his girlfriend about hearing the devil in his dreams.
A psychologist testified that Dominguez had traits of someone with schizophrenia. He lacked motivation and didn’t make eye contact. He also denied having a mental illness and didn’t believe anyone should question his competency.
After a week of testimony, prosecutors said they no longer believed Dominguez could assist his attorney.
Authorities transferred Dominguez weeks later to the state hospital, where he remains.
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