25 to life should about do it.
After reviewing results of a third psychological evaluation of Deborah King, 51, a judge ruled Friday that she is competent to stand trial on charges of murder and vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated in the death of Joel Woods.
KSBW Photo
KSBW Photo
“My client would like an independent evaluator,” she said. “She sees Dr. Fithian and Dr. Finnberg fairly often, and with a split decision, I’m uncomfortable with Dr. Fithian going back again.” (When ordered by the court, the $325 to $500 experts receive for the evaluations is provided by taxpayers.)
She sees both of the these “doctors” often and they do not agree on the woman’s mental health?
Have that third doctor examine the first two doctors while we are at it. Are they fit to prescribe drugs?
A psychiatrist says a Monterey woman is not competent to stand trial for allegedly killing a Pacific Grove father who was picking up his son from school last month. But Wednesday, Judge Adrienne Grover gave prosecutors a chance to seek a second opinion.
Deborah King, 51, is charged with murder and vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence while intoxicated in connection with the Sept. 2 accident that killed 35-year-old Joel Woods.
With 5 other DUIs she’s unfit to drive a car, but did anyway . . .
At least five convictions? How many have fallen off the record? How many have been reduced to “wet reckless”? Dang, she has had a problem for a long time. There is no excuse as to why this woman should not have been behind bars when this occurred. 50 years for her, one big fat lawsuit against her.
“In 2nd degree murder, you act with reckless disregard for human life,” explained deputy district attorney Steve Somers, who reported Deborah King has at least five prior DUI convictions. “If you can establish that the person was aware that driving under the influence is dangerous, and that they were under the influence and, knowing the dangers involved, went driving anyway and killed someone, you can establish it was murder.”
The vehicular manslaughter charge stems from her allegedly reckless behavior, and King faces a sentence of 15 years to life for each count if convicted, Somers said.
Joel Woods, 35, was attempting to enter his parked car on Forest Avenue by Pacific Grove Middle School at about noon when he was struck by a car driven by Deborah King, 51, of Monterey, according to Pacific Grove police.
King was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and is being held on $30,000 bail. Earlier reports that King was suspected of drunken driving were incorrect. The ongoing investigation may lead to more serious charges, said Cmdr. John Nyunt.