Criminal charges against a handyman who prosecutors say fatally shot a beloved Los Angeles bishop last year were stayed Thursday after lawyers raised doubts about his competence 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 law enforcement sources previously told The Times that he confessed to the killing.
The motive for this homicide has remained 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 were clear.” made sense to investigators,” according to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Lt. .Michael Modica.
O’Connell’s friends and parishioners had hoped that Thursday’s preliminary hearing — usually the first time prosecutors must present significant evidence in a case in open court — would provide a motive for the out-of-nowhere shooting. But Los Angeles County Deputy Public Defender Pedro Cortes told the court he had doubts about Medina’s ability to contribute to 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 opinions of an independent medical expert.
“The defense team worked diligently to thoroughly investigate the events that occurred, including all contributing factors, such as Mr. Medina’s mental health, to ensure a complete and fair representation of the facts ” said Cortes and his co-counsel, Deputy District Attorney. Defender Jessica Arteaga said in a statement.
LA County Deputy Dist. Atty. Hilary Williams said the defense team informed her of its concerns about Medina only moments before the hearing and did not independently verify any issues.
Medina is due back in Hollywood Mental Health Court on October 31. If found competent and convicted of murder, he faces 35 years to life in prison.
