YOLO COUNTY, Calif. — Carlos Dominguez, the man accused of several stabbings in Davis earlier this year, is now mentally competent to stand trial, according to the Yolo County District Attorney's Office.
Dominguez was deemed unfit for trial in August and was taken to a state hospital for "restoration of competency."
Melinda Aiello, Assistant Chief Deputy District Attorney Yolo County, says the court received a report with the update and Dominguez will appear in the Superior Court Jan. 5, 2024. If no challenges to the report are present, "criminal proceedings will be reinstated," she said.
Dominguez was a third-year student at the University of California, Davis majoring in biological sciences until April 25, when he was expelled for academic reasons.
Stabbings near campus began shortly after. He is charged in the deaths of a 50-year-old homeless man and a 20-year-old UC Davis student. A homeless woman who was attacked in her tent survived.
The attacks terrified the community. Businesses closed early and some students were too scared to attend even daytime classes as their parents pleaded with them to return home.
Dominguez was arrested May 4, a week after the first body was found, near the location of the second attack. He later blurted out at a court hearing that he was guilty and wanted to apologize.
The case was put on hold in August after prosecutors agreed Dominguez wasn't mentally capable of taking part in criminal proceedings. Three medical experts testified he was schizophrenic and a judge ordered him to receive medication over his objections.
Dominguez was sent to the state hospital in Atascadero until he was found competent to understand court proceedings and take part in his defense.
Case History- 1st Stabbing: David Breaux
A man was found dead in Central Park in Davis around 11:20 a.m., April 27. He was identified as David Breaux, 50. Breaux was known to frequent the park and was known to people in the area as ‘Compassion Guy.’
His friend Americo Meza described him as sweet and full of empathy.
"He was very important for the community. His expression was peaceful, was compassion, empathy, tolerance. His love was unconditional, pure," said Meza.
He recalled the many times his friend would raise his spirits.
"We will miss a lot. It's touching my heart. We will miss this guy. It's like an example to be to be in our generation - to live with empathy, with compassion, forgiving everything," said Meza.
Case History- 2nd Stabbing: Karim Abou Najm
A stabbing at Sycamore Park on April 29 killed Karim Abou Najm, a 20-year-old UC Davis student and graduate of Davis High School.
"Karim was a wonder of energy, a free spirit. Someone who just wants to see goodness around him," said his father, Majdi Abou Najm.
He said the 20-year-old UC Davis student was taking a route he'd taken many times before.
"This path that he took in his last journey home is the same path that we do every day. I walk to my office at UC Davis and he bikes to classes at UC Davis," said Majdi.
Case History- 3rd Stabbing: Kimberlee Guillory
Kimberlee Guillory was stabbed at a homeless encampment near 2nd and L Street on May 1.
