DAVIS, Calif. — The man accused of a series of stabbings in Davis earlier this year is now competent to stand trial, according to a new state hospital report reversing a decision made over the summer.
The suspect is already due back in court next week.
So how did this happen?
Carlos Dominguez was a third-year student at UC Davis until April 25, when he was expelled for academic reasons. Days later, a series of deadly stabbings began, ultimately ending with Dominguez’ arrest.
The city of Davis will not soon forget the tension and fear felt for a full week, after 50-year-old David Breaux, known as “Compassion Guy,” was found stabbed to death in Davis’ Central Park the morning of April 27. Two days later, 20-year-old UC Davis student Karim Abou Najm was killed the same way in Davis’ Sycamore Park. On May 1, Kimberlee Guillory was stabbed at a homeless encampment near 2nd and L streets. She survived.
Then, on May 4, Davis police announced the arrest of 21-year-old Carlos Dominguez. He faces charges including murder and attempted murder.
Back in June, Dominguez’ attorneys with the Yolo County Public Defender’s Office argued he was not mentally competent to stand trial.
A separate trial was held over the summer to determine his mental competency, with the judge ultimately ordering Dominguez to take medication for his mental illness and sending him to a state hospital.
Now, according to a statement from the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office: “The court received a report from the state hospital certifying that Mr. Dominguez has been restored to competency.”
ABC10 asked Sacramento attorney Mark Reichel — who is not involved in this case — how common something like this is.
“It's not that uncommon that they're restored to competency within three months,” Reichel said. “Here's why: his mental incompetency could have been because of a mental health condition that was easily treatable, easily diagnoseable, and they got it down at the state mental hospital.”
However, he pointed out “it's not always the final answer.”
It’s possible a suspect’s mental health deteriorates once they’re out of the hospital and back in jail. Reichel said he has represented a client in the past where that happened.
“That can cause this to go back-and-forth, where he can be declared incompetent again, before the trial,” Reichel said.
It’s also possible, according to the Yolo County DA’s Office, that the state hospital’s report — which would restore Dominguez’ competency — is challenged.
ABC10 reached out to Dominguez’ defense attorneys Friday asking if they plan on challenging the report but did not get a response.
Reichel thinks it’s possible the defense will pursue that course of action.
“The defense can have their own expert come in and say this report really isn't that valid, it's not that legitimate, the diagnosis isn't that correct,” Reichel said. “They'll have their own doctor come see him again, and the doctor may say, ‘Look, this guy is still incompetent.’ So then you have a hearing again, and you have a hearing on that issue where you can challenge that report, challenge that finding.”
In a statement to ABC10, the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office said, “if there are no challenges to that report criminal proceedings will be reinstated.”
ABC10 also reached out to relatives of the victims to get their input on the story but did not hear back.
Dominguez is due back in Yolo Superior Court Friday, Jan. 5, 2024 at 9 a.m.
