Man Accused Of Killing Actor James Handy Found Mentally Incompetent For Prosecution

The man accused of slaying seasoned “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Jumanji” character James Handy earlier this period is not mentally competent to look criminal tribunal prosecution, a Los Angeles judge ruled Monday.

During a competency hearing, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Maria Cavalluzzi ordered that Michael Gledhill, 44, is incapable to understand nan execution lawsuit against him and cannot rationally assistance his lawyer successful his ain defense, nan Associated Press reported.

Monday’s ruling is not a “determination of guilt aliases innocence,” Gledhill’s defense squad said successful a connection shared pinch The Times connected Tuesday. Los Angeles County Deputy Public Defenders Donna Tryfman and Robert Krauss said successful nan connection that Gledhill’s “treatment and restoration efforts” will return privilege earlier criminal tribunal proceedings.

“While nan allegations successful this matter stay highly serious, nan ineligible process must proceed successful a mode that is some conscionable and accordant pinch law protections,” nan connection said. “Nothing astir nan court’s uncovering regarding competency diminishes nan seriousness of nan nonaccomplishment aliases nan symptom knowledgeable by those who knew and loved Mr. Handy.”

Police arrested Gledhill connected June 3 aft West Valley area patrol officers responded to an emergency telephone successful a residential vicinity of Tarzana. The 911 caller stated, “I americium nan boy of man. I conscionable killed nan man of sin.” Upon arrival, constabulary recovered Handy, 81, successful nan beforehand gait of nan Erwin Street home, unconscious and suffering from a stab coiled to his chest.

Paramedics took nan character to an area infirmary wherever he was pronounced dead, officials said.

Police said successful a property release that Gledhill “flagged down adjacent responding officers” and identified himself arsenic nan fishy successful nan fatal stabbing. Police said Gledhill lives pinch his mother, Handy’s girlfriend, astatine nan Tarzana home.

Gledhill was arrested and transported to Van Nuys Jail, wherever he was booked connected suspicion of murder. His bail was group astatine $2 million.

Gledhill has not entered a plea nor appeared successful court. During his arraignment June 5, a judge halted tribunal proceedings and directed Gledhill’s lawsuit to a tribunal that specializes successful intelligence wellness evaluations.

The Associated Press besides reported that during Monday’s hearing, Cavalluzzi recovered that Gledhill is incapable to make due medicine decisions and signed an bid noting he could beryllium involuntarily medicated for 1 year, citing a psychiatrist’s determination that due narcotics could hugely thief his intelligence health.

A proceeding to find Gledhill’s semipermanent placement is group for July 14. The lawsuit will proceed to proceedings if Gledhill is later recovered to beryllium competent.

Times unit writer Emily St. Martin and nan Associated Press contributed to this report.