Court to wait for mental exam

SUN STAFF WRITER

A Superior Court judge appointed a physician on Thursday to conduct a mental examination of a 70-year-old man who has been charged in connection to a stabbing to determine if he is competent to stand trial.

During the hearing, Attorney Richard Parks, of the Yuma County Public Defender’s Office, who represents Jeffrey Schmidt, requested the court appoint Dr. Celia Drake, a clinical psychologist based in Phoenix to make the determination.

Parks avowed to the court that based on the course of attorney/client-privileged conversations, which he could not disclose, he had formed a good-faith conclusion that a mental competency examination was needed. counts of aggravated assault

The purpose in the stabbing of a of a 43-year-old man last month mental competency in the trailer park where they both resided. exam is to He remains in custody make sure a at the Yuma County jail on person understands $100,000 bond. According to Yuma police, the proceedings at approximately 6:18 against them and that p.m. April 13, officers responded they are able to assist their to the 200 block of attorney in their own defense. West 8th Street for a report of an aggravated assault.

Since the prosecution When officers arrived on offered no objection, Superior scene they found a 43-yearold Court Judge Roger Nelson male with multiple granted Park’s request stab wounds. He was transported for the mental evaluation to Yuma Regional and appointed Drake. Medical Center with non

Nelson also scheduled a life-threatening but serious status hearing for July, and injuries. if Schmidt’s mental exam The suspect, later identified has been conducted by then as Schmidt, was later he would issue a ruling located in the area and, on his competency at that after a short stand-off, was time. taken into custody without

Schmidt has been incident. charged with attempted There were reports of a 1st-degree murder and two verbal altercation prior to the incident, according to Yuma police, who said that Schmidt fled back to his residence, which is in the same trailer park.

Parks at a conditions of release hearing held last month explained to the court that his client is actually the victim in the case because the man who was stabbed instigated the assault by throwing the bicycle he was riding at Schmidt.

The prosecution, however, argued that the victim was stabbed multiple times and that witnesses saw Schmidt laughing afterwards.

The prosecutor also stated that Schmidt told the victim that he was going to die, and Yuma police had to use a canine to subdue him after he refused to come out of his trailer.

Rosie Isabelle Jack Sestiaga, 57, of Yuma, died June 17, 2020, at Yuma Regional Medical Center.

Born Nov. 26, 1962, in Yuma, she was a senior center manager.

Visitation will be 5 to 9 p.m. Monday at Yuma Mortuary Chapel. Rosary will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, with Mass to follow. Burial will be Wednesday at Pioneer Cemetery.

Michele Lynn Sundwall, 48, died June 15, 2020, at her Yuma home.

Born Sept. 27, 1971 in Renton, Wash., she was a corrections officer.

Wake will be 6 p.m. Wednesday at Yuma Mortuary Chapel, with memorial services at 7 p.m.

Theodore F. Gaffin, 78, of Yuma, died June 12, 2020, in Yuma.

Born May 31, 1942, in Bronx, N.Y., he was a certified public accountant and a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

Johnson Mortuary is handling arrangements, with cremation at Desert Lawn.