By Tiffany Yeh
Thomas Phillip Leae faces charges of second degree murder, evading a peace officer with reckless driving, evading a peace officer causing injury or death, vehicle theft, and receiving stolen property, and driving under the influence of drugs causing injury.
On November 30, 2015, Leae was driving a Honda with a passenger, Ailiana Fualilia Siufanua, in the vehicle. He was driving over 100 mph on I-5 and through three counties.
Leae led a high-speed chase away from officers who tried to pull him over for speeding. At some points, he was driving in the wrong direction on the highway.
Around 10pm, his vehicle crashed into a tree in Dunnigan. Leae had major injuries but his passenger, Siufanua, died of her injuries.
During this court appearance, Deputy District Attorney Deanna Hays requested that everything “start from scratch” and for Leae to be re-referred to a psychiatrist. Deputy Public Defender John Sage wanted to have Leae transferred to Napa State Hospital.
Dr. Juliana Rohrer, a clinical psychologist at the Dept. of Mental Health in Vacaville’s prison system, conducted an interview with Leae. After looking at the report, Judge David W. Reed declared Leae incompetent and ordered him transferred to the appropriate facility.
He agreed with DPD Sage about having Leae recommended to Napa State Hospital. The judge also recommended Leae be put on involuntary medication.
Leae’s medical records (not including his psychiatric records) will be given to the prosecution.
