The man accused of killing 31-year-old Elizabeth Esther Gomez in
2007 will undergo a psychiatric test to address concerns about his
mental competency, which arose at the most recent hearing.
HOLLISTER
The man accused of killing 31-year-old Elizabeth Esther Gomez in 2007 will undergo a psychiatric test to address concerns about his mental competency, which arose at the most recent hearing.
Judge Steven Sanders ordered the test to be completed last week because there was word coming from the San Benito County Jail that 27-year-old Samuel Ethan Turner was “not doing well,” according to his attorney, Harry Damkar.
“The judge ordered him to go have a mental evaluation,” he said. “It’s just to evaluate his current mental state.”
The next court date to review the doctor’s findings is scheduled for Wednesday, but Damkar said he wouldn’t be surprised if it was continued another week because the doctor hasn’t had much time to complete his evaluation.
District Attorney Candice Hooper said she “strongly” doubts that the doctors evaluation will be in by the start of the hearing Wednesday.
Turner is accused of first-degree murder in connection with the strangulation and stabbing of Gomez in March 2007. Police responded to a call from Gomez’ residence and found Turner inside along with the body.
The trial setting is set tentatively set to begin at 9 a.m. Oct. 7 with a trial confirmation. The jury trial is tentatively scheduled to commence at 8:30 a.m. on Oct. 26 in room 201 at the San Benito County Courthouse.
