Is Katie Pham's accused killer competent to stand trial?
Daniel Gunnarsson will submit to a competency evaluation after a Tuesday morning hearing in Bakersfield. His trial will be delayed at least until July 13 to await the results of the exam. However, because of the serious nature of the case, it's likely to take years before his trial begins. If Gunnarsson is found incompetent, the trial will be further delayed while he receives treatment. There's no timeline to determine when a suspect reaches the point of competency. Gunnarsson, 20, is charged with murder and mutilating a corpse in connection with the slaying of Katie Pham, 21, just outside Ridgecrest. He is being held in Kern County without bail. Gunnarsson has twice refused to appear in court, but showed up to his pre-preliminary hearing and status conference Tuesday accompanied by Deputy Public Defender Pam Singh, court sources said. The evaluation was ordered after Gunnarsson's attorney expressed doubts about his client's mental competence. "A doubt has arisen in the defense counsel's mind as to the competency of the defendant," according to court records from the hearing. A doctor will examine Gunnarsson to determine if he is competent to stand trial and cooperate with his defense. The doctor's report is due to the court by July 8. Pham was found dead May 18 on West Skylark Avenue just outside Ridgecrest. She was stabbed to death, according to a coroner's report. The slaying has led to an outpouring of concern from the Ridgecrest community. A vigil organized by Pham's father Tom in May drew hundreds of mourners. Our only consolation would be for justice to be served so that Katie could rest easy and Ridgecrest as a community could rest easy with her, Tom Pham said at the vigil.