People v. Watkins CA1/4

BACKGROUND

The People filed a felony complaint against defendant alleging multiple counts of assault. The trial court thereafter adjudicated defendant incompetent pursuant to section 1368 and ordered him committed. The court also issued an initial

1 All further statutory references are to the Penal Code.

1 involuntary medication order, finding that defendant lacked the capacity to make decisions regarding antipsychotic medication, and that his mental disorder, if not treated, would result in serious harm to his physical or mental health. Defendant was admitted to Atascadero State Hospital (Atascadero) in May 2024. In February 2025, the Department moved to renew the court’s involuntary medication order, and the court held hearings in March 2025 on this motion. Dr. Sonya Jackson, defendant’s treating psychiatrist at Atascadero, was the only witness.2 Dr. Jackson testified that she saw defendant weekly, she had reviewed his records, and she had spoken with members of his treatment team. Dr. Jackson diagnosed defendant with schizophrenia. His symptoms included hearing voices and poverty of speech and thought, with the latter meaning that he has “difficulty elaborating” when…