Criminal proceedings against a henchman who prosecutors say fatally shot a beloved L.A. bishop last year were suspended Thursday after lawyers expressed doubts about his competency to stand trial.
Carlos Medina, 61, was charged with murder in February 2023 for fatally shooting Bishop David G. O’Connell, 69, at his Hacienda Heights home. Medina was arrested the next day in Torrance, and police sources said earlier told The Times that he confessed to the murder.
The motive for the murder has been unclear for more than 18 months. Medina’s wife worked for O’Connell as a housekeeper, and authorities said last year that the 61-year-old gave detectives several reasons for the shooting, but “none of them made sense to investigators,” according to LA County Sheriff’s Department Lt. . Michael Modica.
O’Connell’s friends and parishioners had hoped Thursday’s preliminary hearing — usually the first time prosecutors must present substantial evidence in a case in open court — would produce a motive for the shooting out of nowhere. But LA County Deputy Public Defender Pedro Cortes told the court he doubted Medina’s ability to assist in his own defense.
Cortes said concerns about Medina’s mental health were based on interactions with the defendant dating back to the time of his arrest, observations of his behavior in jail and the opinion of an independent medical expert.
“The defense team has worked hard to thoroughly investigate the events that occurred, including all contributing factors, such as Mr. Medina’s mental health, to ensure a comprehensive and fair representation of the facts,” Cortes and his co-counsel, Deputy Publicity Defender Jessica Arteaga, said in a statement.
LA County Deputy Dist. Atty. Hilary Williams said the defense team informed her of their concerns about Medina just moments before the hearing and that they had not independently verified any issues.
Medina is due back in Hollywood Mental Health Court on October 31. If found competent and convicted of murder, he could face 35 years to life in prison.