"I would like to discharge my attorney, Mr. McLaughlin and represent myself"

Never a dull moment with Richard French.
The issue of his competency to stand trial keeps getting continued. Today, he said, ""I would like to discharge my attorney, Mr. McLaughlin and represent myself."

Judge Timothy Canning said the procedure for that is a Marsden hearing. So livestream is offline, everyone else has been muted and we wait.

Mardsen denied.

Criminal proceedings remain suspended. CONREP report for treatment and evaluation by County Mental Health for meds ordered, due on July 9.

"There is a distinction between general mental health or psychiatric issues versus being able to participate in a court trial," said Judge Canning. In her report, Dr. Wilson stated, "Mr. French is not able to adequately assist counsel and is not competent to stand trial."

Mr. McLaughlin is on FFRCA leave and Deputy Public Defender Wade Orbelian appeared for him via Zoom on the case. Deputy District Attorney Steven Steward is appearing via Zoom for the People.

When proceedings resumed, French was quiet. He left the jail conference room silently.

7/9: CONREP report for treatment and evaluation by County Mental Health for meds was due today for French.

Yesterday's post:
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2020/06/i-am-more-than-competent-to-stand-trial.html?m=1