A Yolo County Superior Court judge found an accused person incompetent to stand trial due to mental illness, but delays in the evaluation process left the individual in custody awaiting mental health treatment despite evidence of ongoing competency concerns.
Ralph Menzies, convicted of murder in 1986, has been deemed incompetent for execution due to his advanced dementia, raising constitutional concerns about the planned execution and prompting a competency hearing in December 2025.
Two men with the same name and birth year were mistakenly sent to the wrong court hearings due to a clerical mix-up, resulting in the wrong man being arraigned and the mentally incompetent individual being sent to a mental health court.
WOODLAND, CA –Deputy District Attorney Aimee McLeod last week motioned to reprimand an unhoused, accused man in…
Special to the Vanguard McAlester, OK – After conducting a competency hearing, a district court judge in…
By David M. Greenwald Executive Editor Woodland, CA – He sat with his head slightly cocked back,…
By Catherine Potente PHOENIX, AZ – Attorneys have filed a Motion to Determine Mental Competency for Clarence…
By Isabelle Brady MODESTO, CA – A defense attorney expressed doubt about his client’s competency to stand…
By Neha Malhi RIVERSIDE, CA – A trial is ongoing this week here in Riverside County Superior…
By Casey Rawlings SANTA BARBARA, CA – David Howard Heaven appeared in Santa Barbara County Superior…
By Elizabeth Garabedian SANTA BARBARA, CA – Santa Barbara County Superior Court Judge Michael Carrozzo called Monday…
By Yuanqi Ivy Zhou Washington, D.C. – Wesley Purkey is scheduled for federal execution Wednesday, despite his…