Steven Russell Miller was in custody and appeared at a placement hearing as the Court received the placement recommendation from CONREP (Department of State Hospital’s Conditional Release Program). CONREP is a statewide system of community based services treating patients diagnosed with mental incompetency.
The defendant was committed to the State Department of State Hospitals or a Jail Based Competency Treatment Program (JBCT Program) and he is to be delivered by the Sheriff of Lake County to a state hospital or a JBCT Program as directed by the State Department of State Hospitals.
Miller faces charges in the shooting death of his daughter, Hannah Welch, in Hidden Valley Lake in May of 2017. In January, the Lake County Superior Court found sufficient cause to believe him guilty of murder.
In addition to murder, Miller faces a charge of exhibiting a weapon.
Earlier this year – after the review of a doctor’s report, the court found substantial evidence that Steven Russell Miller is not mentally competent to stand trial.
The Court found the defendant is presently incompetent to stand trial and not able to understand the criminal proceedings or assist counsel in a rational manner.
All criminal proceedings are suspended until the defendant is restored to mental competency.
Earlier this year, the alleged murderer entered a dual plea of not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity on all counts, denying the special allegations.
If the defendant has not been transported by July 10, 2018 the Director of the State Department of State Hospitals is ordered to inform the Court in writing prior to that date on what date compliance is expected.
The matter is continued to July 10th at 8:15 a.m. for a review hearing to verify the defendant has been transported.
Miller is not ordered to be present if he has been transported.
