Juarez found competent to face charges in woman's death
By Mike Cruz
Posted: 02/01/2010 04:47:29 PM PST
A man who authorities allege killed a woman more than two decades ago and dumped her body off Highway 330 has been found mentally competent to stand trial on murder charges.
A jury listened to testimony from psychologists and sheriff's detectives during the two-day mental competency trial last week for David Michael Juarez in San Bernardino Superior Court. On Friday, the jury found Juarez competent to face charges in the death of Diana Carol Burch.
Juarez returns to court Feb. 26 for a status hearing.
The defense requested the trial after doubting Juarez was mentally competent to face criminal proceedings. The jury had to weigh whether the defendant could understand the nature and purpose of criminal proceedings, assist in a rational manner with his attorney to present a defense and understand his own status and condition in the criminal proceedings.
The jury's verdict now paves the way for the criminal proceedings to continue, according to prosecutors.
Authorities found Burch's body April 11, 1989 off Highway 330, on the way to Running Springs. Sheriff's detectives have revealed very little about the woman's death. The criminal complaint filed against Juarez doesn't mention a weapon.
Juarez had requested authorities send him to Patton State Hospital, a mental health facility, after he was arrested in 2006. He got his wish in October 2007, but after nine months the court deemed him competent again.
To read a past article about the trial, visit:
http://www.insidesocal.com/sb/iecourts/2010/02/jury-to-decide-competency-defe.html
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