Crime & Safety
Doctors to Examine Competency of Hillsdale Mall Murder Suspect
After an outburst in court on Friday, criminal proceedings were suspended in the case against Gregory Elarms.
The man suspected of killing a beloved East Palo Alto community activist outside Hillsdale Shopping Center last summer may not be competent to stand trial.
At least, that's what two doctors who will be appointed in San Mateo County Superior Court on Wednesday to examine the competency of 58-year-old Gregory Leon Elarms plan to determine.
Elarms is David Lewis, 54, as Lewis got out of his vehicle in a Hillsdale Mall parking lot on June 9, 2010. He was arrested in December and has been in custody without bail since.
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The San Mateo County District Attorney's Office has charged Elarms with first-degree murder with the special circumstance of lying in wait, as well as with being a felon in possession of a gun, making Elarms eligible for the death penalty. Elarms has .
On Friday, Elarms appeared in court to set a date for his preliminary hearing and reportedly "acted out loudly," according to the District Attorney's Office.
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His defense attorney then expressed doubt as to whether Elarms is competent to stand trial, and the court suspended criminal proceedings.
Elarms is due back in court on Wednesday morning for the appointment of two doctors to evaluate his competency.
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