LAKEPORT — Criminal proceedings against an attempted-murder suspect were halted on the doorstep of trial Friday as the defense counsel raised doubt about the defendant”s mental capacity for the second time.
Dennis Leroy Cato appeared at the Lake County Courthouse Friday morning to assign a courtroom for his trial, which was set to start on Wednesday, but his public defender, Komnith Moth, opened the hearing by telling the judge there “might be a wrinkle.”
Moth went on to inform the court that he doubted whether Cato, 64, was mentally competent, bringing into question Cato”s ability to understand the proceedings and participate in his own defense.
The attorney”s announcement came two days after Cato appeared in court for trial confirmation. This is the second time Moth has formally raised a doubt about Cato”s mental competency.
After learning of Moth”s declaration, Judge Andrew S. Blum suspended all criminal proceedings involving Cato, who was charged with seven felonies, including two counts of attempted murder, for allegedly shooting at a pair of utility workers last summer.
The judge then appointed two psychiatrists to evaluate Cato and assess his mental state.
Dressed in black and white jail stripes and seated in a wheelchair, Cato hunched forward and mumbled indiscernible phrases several times during the hearing Friday. He is due back in court May 7 for a review of the psychiatrists” reports.
Authorities allege Cato shot at, but did not hit, two PG&E subcontractors as they were finishing up utility work at his Hill Road East home Aug. 29.
The Lakeport man originally pleaded not guilty to the charges, but he changed his plea to not guilty by reason of insanity on Dec. 4, moments after Judge Richard C. Martin ruled he was fit to stand trial after the first time his competency was brought into question.
A pair of court-appointed psychiatrists examined Cato last fall after Moth declared doubt about the defendant”s mental capacity in late October. Both experts found Cato competent for trial at that time.
Cato remains in custody at the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and awaits the next set of psychiatric evaluations, which the attorneys hope would be completed by the May 7 court appearance.
Jeremy Walsh is a staff reporter for Lake County Publishing. Reach him at 263-5636, ext. 37 or jwalsh@record-bee.com. Follow his court coverage on Twitter, @JeremyDWalsh or #Lakecourt.
