A Rialto man who is suspected in last week's deadly slaying of an Omnitrans bus driver was ordered to have a mental health evaluation during a hearing this morning in San Bernardino Superior Court.
Robert Darrell Johnson, 33, appeared in court for arraignment on murder charges when a defense lawyer doubted Johnson's mental competence and informed the court, according to Deputy District Attorney Robert Bulloch.
Johnson was ordered to be evaluated and then returned to court June 22. By then, the court should have received a report of Johnson's mental health evaluation and determine whether he is legally competent to face the charges.
Police say Johnson repeatedly stabbed 47-year-old Lawrence Kester about 10:45 a.m. Friday as the victim drove a bus near Riverside Avenue and Base Line, in Rialto. Kester, who lost control of the 40-foot coach and crashed into a tree, was pronounced dead a half hour later.
Johnson was taken into custody by employees at a nearby Stater Bros. supermarket after he laid down on the ground and began yelling that he had stabbed somebody. Police say the stabbing was unprovoked and without motive.
Kester, of Fontana, leaves behind a wife and eight children. He had worked as a bus driver for Omnitrans for 15 years and is the first driver to be killed on-duty.
Prosecutors charged Johnson with one court of murder and a special allegation for using a knife, according to a criminal complaint filed in Superior Court.
Staff Writer
No comments:
Post a Comment