People v. Zygadlo CA1/2

BACKGROUND

On August 17, 2023, the Contra Costa County District Attorney filed a felony complaint against defendant charging him with throwing an object (a wrench) at a vehicle or an occupant of the vehicle with intent to do great

1 bodily harm (Veh. Code, § 23110, subd. (b)); eight counts of disobeying a court order (Pen. Code, § 166, subd. (a)(4))1 based on incidents that allegedly occurred between February 27 and August 16, 2023; and three counts of criminal threats (§ 422, subd. (a)) based on incidents that allegedly occurred between April 17 and August 16, 2023. On September 5, the day scheduled for the preliminary hearing, defense counsel expressed a doubt about defendant’s competence to stand trial. The trial court (Hon. Charles B. Burch) also expressed a doubt regarding defendant’s competence and suspended the criminal proceedings pursuant to section 1368 et seq. At a hearing on September 12, defense counsel reported that defendant “objects to competency proceedings.” The trial court (Hon. Julia Campins) appointed psychologist Stephanie Williams, Ph.D., and psychiatrist Patrick Wiita, M.D., to evaluate defendant. Both evaluators determined that defendant was mentally…