A person who the authorities say intentionally drove his household off a cliff in Northern California final yr will obtain psychological well being remedy as an alternative of standing trial, in line with courtroom data.
The person, Dharmesh A. Patel, pleaded not responsible in September to 3 counts of tried homicide after his Tesla fell greater than 250 ft off a cliff with him, his spouse and their two youngsters inside on Jan. 2, 2023. All 4 survived after emergency staff rescued them from the rubble.
On Thursday, Mr. Patel was discovered eligible for a psychological well being diversion, a provision that permits an individual charged with a criminal offense to as an alternative bear remedy, in line with data filed in Superior Court docket in San Mateo County. Beneath the supply, prosecution is postponed whereas the defendant undergoes psychological well being remedy, and could also be dismissed fully.
In line with a information launch from San Mateo County, Choose Susan M. Jakubowski of Superior Court docket decided that Mr. Patel was eligible for this system primarily based on a analysis of “main depressive dysfunction” which, she mentioned, had contributed to his legal conduct. He’ll stay in jail for a number of weeks earlier than being launched to his dad and mom’ dwelling in Belmont, Calif., the place he might be monitored by GPS and required to report back to courtroom as soon as every week, in line with the discharge. He’s not allowed to go away San Mateo County and should give up his driver’s license and passport.
Stephen Wagstaffe, the county’s district legal professional, mentioned in an e mail that his workplace had “vigorously opposed” the diversion program and had requested the courtroom to carry Mr. Patel to trial. “However underneath California’s diversion legislation, the courtroom makes the choice,” he mentioned, noting that he and different district attorneys had just lately supported a invoice to to alter legal guidelines permitting for the supply in attempted-murder circumstances, however had been unsuccessful.
Mr. Patel’s lawyer didn’t instantly reply to requests for touch upon Tuesday afternoon.
The ruling follows a monthslong course of by which Mr. Patel’s lawyer, Joshua Bentley, argued that Mr. Patel must be diverted into the psychological well being program as an alternative of dealing with legal fees. “Not everybody who commits a criminal offense is a legal,” Mr. Bentley mentioned in courtroom in Might, the tv station KTLA reported.
Medical doctors had identified Mr. Patel with schizoaffective dysfunction and main depressive dysfunction, and within the weeks main as much as the crash, he was experiencing paranoia and delusions, the station reported. Mr. Patel’s spouse testified that she didn’t need her husband prosecuted, in line with KTLA.
The subsequent listening to in Mr. Patel’s case is scheduled for July 1.
