Proceedings reset in child molesting case
The intersection of the state's mammoth mental health and criminal court systems are at work in the felony case against a 76-year-old Solano man accused of being a child molester.
Jack R. Adams, who appeared in Department 9 on Monday for a mental health placement report, a hearing and a setting, heard Superior Court Judge Carlos R. Gutierrez reschedule the proceedings for 8:30 a.m. June 7 in the Justice Center in Fairfield.
Criminal proceedings against Adams, who, according to court records, is housed in a secure facility operated by MHM Services Inc., appear to be suspended for the time being.
Court records also show he was placed in the MHM facility Sept. 22. MHM is a leading national provider of healthcare services to state and local government agencies and has offices on Glen Cove Marina Road in Vallejo.
On Oct. 13, a placement report under Penal Code section 1370, which details issues about a defendant's mental competence and court procedures after a commitment to a state hospital or other facility, was filed.
On Feb. 23, the judge issued an order re-referring Adams to the state Department of Mental Health for evaluation, and “progress notes” from Kaiser Permanente were filed in the case Monday.
The criminal complaint against Adams was filed July 7, 2017. As it has coursed its way in through the court system, Gutierrez previously vacated a trialsetting date for Adams and ordered two “1368 doctor's reports,” an evaluation by a psychiatrist of psychologist about a defendant's ability to understand the charges and aid in defense.
Under state law, specifically Penal Code section 1368, a defendant considered unable to help in his or her defense or understand court proceedings cannot be tried. However, once they are deemed competent, criminal charges can be reinstated and the defendant can be scheduled to face more court proceedings, including a jury trial.
After Gutierrez reviewed the second report, he reinstated criminal proceedings.
Adams is represented by Sacramento-based attorney Adam Weiner, who earlier in the case questioned his client's mental competency.
Deputy District Attorney Becky Self leads the prosecution.
Court records indicate the defendant was arrested July 7, 2017, and charged with more than 10 felony counts. Besides sex with a child under 10 or younger, they include at least seven counts of lewd acts on a child; sending explicit sexual matter to a minor; and preventing or dissuading a witness from attending or giving testimony.
Adams, according to court documents, posted the $1 million bail amount Sept. 21, 2017. He was held to answer for the allegations April 10, 2018.
If found guilty of all charges at a trial, Adams, who turns 77 on June 2, may spend the rest of his life in prison.