California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation must release a man’s private mental health records accused of killing a Stockton student to San Joaquin County court so a judge can determine his mental competence to face charges, the court held Monday.
At a Nov. 28 hearing, Judge Patrick Smalling ordered CDCR to “produce a complete and unedited copy of (the defendant’s) central file, including all qualifying protected health and mental health information,” according to court records.
Read more:Stagg murder, officer sexual assault cases to return to SJ County court
The defendant, Anthony Gray, was charged with murder in April for allegedly stabbing Alycia Reynaga, a student at Stagg High School, to death on campus.
According to the Stockton Unified School District, Gray allegedly drove into a parking lot on the Stagg campus, parked, and grabbed Reynaga and another student before stabbing Reynaga.
Prosecutors have argued “that the killing was intentional and involved torture,” and that it was carried out “in a manner that indicates planning, sophistication, and/or professionalism.”
Related:Mental competence trial of man accused of stabbing Stagg moved to January
Previous coverage:A court-appointed doctor says the man accused of killing a Stagg student is fit to stand trial
Court records show Gray spent time at Atascadero State Hospital, a psychiatric facility and state prison. He is scheduled to appear in court in January for a trial to determine his mental capacity to face the charges. Gray’s public defender, Lois Keenan, could not immediately be reached for comment Tuesday.
Under California law, a person is considered incompetent to stand trial if they are unable to understand the case against them or help their attorney with their defense due to mental illness or developmental disability. In June, a court-appointed doctor said he believed Gray was competent, a finding Gray’s lawyer disputed.
Records from Atascadero, as well as from California Correctional Health Care, San Joaquin County Behavioral Health and the county jail and hospital, have been subpoenaed in the case, court documents show.
The prosecutor in the case, Danielle Peirano, could not immediately be reached for comment.
Record reporter Aaron Leathley covers public safety. He can reach her at [email protected] or on Twitter @LeathleyAaron. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record athttps://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.
