Teen’s accused killer found competent to stand trial
A doctor has found the alleged killer of 18yearold Nia Wilson competent to stand trial, prompting a judge on Wednesday to reinstate John Lee Cowell’s criminal proceedings.
Cowell, 29, will enter a plea Aug. 2. He faces one count of murder and one count of attempted murder for Wilson’s death and the nonfatal stabbing of her sister, Letifah Wilson.
The recent doctor’s report on Cowell follows two other examinations from earlier this year. While one doctor found Cowell incompetent to stand trial, a second was unable to reach a conclusion.
Alameda County Superior Court Judge James Cramer on Wednesday said that the third doctor’s report was the most “valid and persuasive” and worked off the findings of the two predecessors. Cowell’s previously scheduled competency trial was subsequently called off.
Wilson’s family cheered Cramer’s ruling after the brief courtroom appearance in downtown Oakland. Wilson’s mother, father, sisters and several extended family members have attended every proceeding, while often wearing Tshirts of Nia Wilson’s name or likeness.
“It’s a very rejoiceful time for me and my family,” said Wilson’s father, Ansar El Muhammad.
The last year since Wilson’s death has been “very dark,” he said. “Our families will be traumatized for the rest of our lives.”
Wilson’s mother, Alicia Grayson, said the family ultimately wants to see Cowell found guilty and receive the death penalty, but they would be content with a sentence of life in prison without parole.
“Throw away the key, and let him go on with his miserable life,” she said.
Prosecutors have not ruled out seeking the death penalty, although Gov. Gavin Newsom in March issued a moratorium on capital punishment throughout the state.
Cowell, dressed in red jail garb, made an appearance at Wednesday’s hearing but did not speak. His public defender, Christina Moore, said the judge’s ruling was not surprising given the doctor’s recent report.
She stressed, however, that all of the reports deemed Cowell to be mentally ill. All three doctors found that Cowell suffered from schizophrenic episodes, she said.
“I think everybody understands that brains are complex,” Moore said. “Somebody may be exhibiting symptoms one day and the next day, not.”
Competency proceedings are different than pleading not guilty by reason of insanity. Competency deals with a defendant’s mental state at the time of the trial, while pleading not guilty by reason of insanity relates to the mental state at the time of the crime.
Moore said it was too soon to comment on how Cowell will plead next month.
On the evening of July 22, 2018, Cowell allegedly stabbed both Nia Wilson and her older sister, Letifah, in the neck as the three were exiting a train at the MacArthur BART Station.
Nia Wilson died at the scene on the BART station platform. Her sister was rushed to the hospital with serious but ultimately nonfatal injuries.
Cowell ditched his backpack and clothing in the station’s parking lot and was arrested a day later at the Pleasant Hill BART Station, police said.
Moore told Cramer in December that Cowell suffered from “extreme delusion” and “extreme paranoia,” limiting her ability to talk about the case with her client. Cramer suspended criminal proceedings that month to examine Cowell’s mental state.
Wilson’s family filed a lawsuit against BART in April alleging that heightened security could have protected the 18yearold woman from being fatally stabbed. Cowell was a serial fare evader and should have never gained entry to the MacArthur Station, the family’s attorneys said.
BART made a show of force in the days after the killing, requiring officers to work overtime in an attempt to curb fare evaders. Wilson’s family said the efforts were too little and came too late.