P. v. Weatherspoon CA2/4
Laevin Meikel Weatherspoon (appellant) was charged with the December 5, 2013 murder of Wanda Threadgill, with a further allegation that he used a deadly weapon, a kitchen knife, during the offense. (Pen. Code, §§ 187, subd. (a), 12022, subd. (b)(1)). Appellant denied all allegations. During the three and a half years between his arrest and the start of trial, appellant’s case suffered various delays and disruptions due to persistent questions about appellant’s mental competency to stand trial, and his misconduct both within and outside the courtroom. Defense counsel twice declared a doubt as to appellant’s competency, suspending the proceedings, and appellant was hospitalized and subjected to multiple competency evaluations by at least eight physician experts.
Comments on P. v. Weatherspoon CA2/4