Accused mass killer Kori Muhammad incompetent for trial, doctors say

Two court-appointed doctors say confessed mass killer Kori Ali Muhammad is incompetent to stand trial in connection with an April shooting spree that left four dead, it was announced Tuesday.

One doctor hired by the Fresno County District Attorney's Office, however, said Muhammad is competent to stand trial.

The 2-1 vote typically means Muhammad would go to a state hospital until his competency is restored. But because it's a high-profile case, the prosecution’s next move is unclear.

At a brief hearing, Superior Court Judge Brian Alvarez scheduled a hearing for Sept. 12 to go over the doctors’ reports.

Muhammad is charged with murder in the April 13 shooting death of a motel security guard Carl Allen Williams II. He also is charged with murder in an April 18 shooting rampage that killed Zackary David Randalls, 34, of Clovis; Mark James Gassett, 37, of Fresno; and David Martin Jackson, 58, of Fresno.

After the hearing, defense lawyer Richard Beshwate Jr. said that under the law, prosecutor Brian Hutchins could hire another doctor to examine Muhammad or ask a jury to determine whether Muhammad is legally competent to stand trial.

As in past hearings, Muhammad yelled "Let black people go!" and "Reparations!" He also said natural disasters will occur.

This story will be updated.

This story was originally published August 22, 2017 at 9:14 AM with the headline "Accused mass killer Kori Muhammad incompetent for trial, doctors say."