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Christiana’s competency questioned |
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Friday, 20 March 2009 |
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By Mike Bodine
Register Staff
3-19-2009
Inyo County courts are preparing to decide whether the man charged in connection with a spree of vandalism and burglaries in the Eastern Sierra last summer is competent enough to stand trial.
In September 2008, John Christiana, 47, from San Francisco pleaded not guilty to felony charges that included auto theft and receiving stolen property. On Tuesday, a settlement conference was held to schedule a competency hearing for April 16. The hearing will determine whether Christiana is mentally competent to be tried for those and other crimes.
Assistant District Attorney Mark Johnson said Wednesday that the charges against Christiana are “technically suspended” until his competency can be determined.
Christiana and his legal counsel requested to have the competency trial decided by a judge, rather than undergo a jury trial. Johnson added that Christiana’s counsel will determine whether or not to have witnesses or evidence presented at the trial.
“If he is found not to be competent to stand trial (on the criminal charges), the courts will look for a suitable placement for him,” Johnson explained.
The felony charges against Christiana include two counts of possession of stolen property, vehicle theft, grand theft, theft of an automobile, malicious mischief and vandalism, carrying a concealed weapon and possession of a loaded firearm in a vehicle.
Johnson said he could not speak of any connection between Christiana and the vandalism at the White Mountain Research Station, Summit Hut Laboratory or the fire that destroyed the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest Visitor Center.
He said he only knows that the investigation is ongoing.
Christiana was arrested on Sept. 7, 2008, following a rash of vandalism and theft at Inyo and Mono trailheads and burglaries in Big Pine.
Christiana was arrested after Inyo County sheriff’s deputies detected a strong odor of gasoline near the Lone Pine High School. It was reported that Christiana, dressed head-to-toe in black, attempted to flee the scene when deputies arrived. The arresting officers said Christiana reeked of gasoline and his stolen vehicle was filled with gas cans and other containers used to carry gasoline along with rock climbing and hiking gear.
According to Christiana’s MySpace.com page, he is an accomplished mountaineer and motivational speaker. But, prior to his arrest, he made several delusional entries to the page that may indicate severe paranoia or other mental problems.
Among other posts, he wrote that he believed the U.S. government had implanted a microchip in his brain to monitor his thoughts. He also accused ABC’s Al Michaels and John Madden, as well as the Olive Garden restaurant chain, Starbucks and Circuit City, of conspiring against him with the government.
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 25 April 2009 )
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