NEWPORT BEACH : Man to Stand Trial for Fairview Murder

A Municipal Court judge Friday ordered a 38-year-old painter to stand trial on charges that he murdered a supervisor at Fairview Developmental Center in Costa Mesa and tried to kill three others during a shooting spree.

Michael E. Rahming calmly gazed at Judge Susanne S. Shaw as she told him she found sufficient evidence in his preliminary hearing to send him to trial in connection with the shooting death of Al Motis last July 30.

Rahming is charged with murder, three counts of attempted murder and a fourth allegation that he used a firearm during the commission of a crime. Prosecutors said he shot and wounded James Pichon, 36, and hospital director Hugh Kohler. He also shot but missed Michael Softa, prosecutors contend.

Rahming pleaded not guilty to all charges.

In an unusual exchange with Shaw at the beginning of his hearing Friday, Rahming asked to “make a statement for the world to hear.”

When the judge told him he would have that opportunity during his trial and that she could see that he was “doing better,” Rahming challenged her to elaborate on that phrase.

“What do you mean by I’m doing better,” he asked spiritedly. “Better than what? What was I doing before that I’m better now?”

Shaw told him to sit down.

Rahming’s attorney, Michael J. Naughton, said afterward that the morning’s exchange with Shaw was just another proof of his client’s “mental problem.”

“He’s gravely, mentally ill,” Naughton said, indicating that that will be Rahming’s defense during his trial.

During the hearing, Costa Mesa police officers testified that when they arrived at the site of the shootings last July, several workers described a helter-skelter shooting scene. The workers said Rahming had arrived at the break room at hospital painting shop that morning and asked to be sent home sick, officer Gaylen Mattson testified.

The workers said Rahming hesitated for a moment, walked to the back of the break room, suddenly raised a gun and began shooting. Prosecutors alleged that he shot Motis in the back before turning to Pichon. Motis bled to death.

Rahming then allegedly aimed his handgun at Pichon and fired, Mattson testified. Although wounded in the head, Pichon ran out of the room.

Pichon told police Rahming fired about three or four more shots, Mattson testified.

Rahming then ran outside where he shot at Softa, but apparently his gun either jammed or was out of bullets, prosecutors said.

Still, the rampage continued. Rahming went to the hospital administration building where he allegedly shot Kohler during a brief struggle, Mattson testified.

Rahming was arrested quietly less than an hour after the shootings at his Long Beach home.

Police and those who knew Rahming have said that he had run-ins at the hospital with the men he allegedly shot. Rahming had filed several grievances, claiming his supervisors had harassed him because he is black.

Psychological tests ordered by hospital officials indicated that Rahming’s perceptions of bias could drive him to violence, although there were conflicting conclusions. He was allowed to stay at work.

A court-ordered psychological evaluation earlier this year concluded that Rahming was competent to stand trial.

He is scheduled to be arraigned in Superior Court on July 7.