Ionescu

BACKGROUND

On May 21, 2019, petitioner was arraigned on a complaint alleging threats against state officials or judges and criminal threats. Petitioner’s arraignment and bail hearing were heard by visiting retired Contra Costa County Superior Court Judge David Flinn. On June 5, 2019, petitioner was held to answer on all counts at a preliminary hearing before visiting retired Alameda County Superior Court Judge Lawrence Appel. The information filed on June 17, 2019, alleges four counts of violation of Penal Code section 76, subdivision (a) (threatening state officials or judges), regarding threats to Contra Costa County Superior Court Judge John Devine and Contra Costa County Sheriff David O. Livingston made on May 14, 2019, and May 15, 2019 (counts 1, 3, 5, 7), and four counts of violation of Penal Code section 422, subdivision (a) (criminal threats; counts 2, 4, 6, 8) regarding Judge Devine and Sheriff Livingston. On June 24, 2019, at a hearing before visiting retired Merced County Superior Court Judge Harry L. Jacobs, petitioner’s counsel expressed doubt about petitioner’s competency to stand trial pursuant to Penal Code section 1368. Criminal proceedings were suspended while…