Late last year, a doctor found Shannon to be mentally incompetent due to a developmental disability. The judge presiding in the case said he found the report “interesting” and expressed doubts over whether Shannon was actually incompetent. “I’m not convinced that Mr. Shannon is incompetent, but I’m certainly willing to move forward with the process to make that determination,” the judge said. The judge reinstated proceedings against Shannon after a report from the Alta California Regional Center in Sacramento determined the defendant did not have a disability and was not eligible for its services. In March, those proceedings were delayed again when Spangler submitted an additional report claiming Shannon’s alleged incompetence was caused by drug abuse, the Davis Enterprise reported. The judge said he was again not convinced that Shannon was mentally incompetent and ordered an additional hearing set for May 29. If Shannon is ultimately found to be mentally incompetent, he would be sent to a hospital for treatment until he is determined to be competent enough to stand trial. If he is not, criminal proceedings would move forward, the Enterprise reported.
With reporting by Lauren Keene of the Davis Enterprise.]]>
