Garrido’s competency subject of Thursday hearing
By Sam Stanton, Sacramento Bee
His own lawyer has said he may be mentally ill, that he hears the voices of angels who live underground speaking to him.
He has told people he invented a special box to control sound with his mind, and he sought out the FBI before his arrest to discuss mind control.
As crazy as that sounds, it may not mean Phillip Garrido is mentally incompetent to stand trial in the Jaycee Lee Dugard kidnap.
A competency trial on the matter is tentatively set for Feb. 28, but that may not be held. Lawyers on both sides of the case are discussing if the competency trial is necessary and could agree Garrido is competent, a move that would mean his criminal trial can go forward.
A hearing to weigh the matter is set for today in El Dorado Superior Court. Lawyers in the case would not comment Wednesday.