OXNARD : Trial Ordered in Rape-Murder

The judge in a Ventura County death-penalty case ruled on Monday that an Oxnard man is mentally competent to stand trial for the kidnap, rape and murder of a woman in 1992.

Superior Court Judge Lawrence Storch’s decision came after a psychological report found that Christopher Sattiewhite, 23, appears to understand the charges against him.

The report, prepared by psychologist Kathryn Davis of Ventura, was ordered in August after a defense attorney claimed that Sattiewhite suffers from brain damage. But on Monday, attorney Willard Wiksell said he simply wanted to get a professional opinion on Sattiewhite’s mental state.

“He didn’t bark at the moon or anything,” Wiksell said.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Donald C. Glynn said the report confirms prosecutors’ belief that Sattiewhite should stand trial. Glynn noted that Sattiewhite is a high school graduate and has held a number of jobs as either a cook or busboy.

Storch scheduled trial for Dec. 13.

Sattiewhite, who is serving a 21-year prison sentence in a separate case involving the rape of an Oxnard woman, is accused of abducting, raping and killing Genoveva Gonzalez, 30. He also faces a charge of using a firearm and a special allegation that the slaying occurred during a rape and kidnaping.

If convicted of first-degree murder and the enhanced allegation, he could be sentenced to die in the gas chamber.

Prosecutors have said Gonzalez was kidnaped for rape by a group of men, but was killed after Sattiewhite inadvertently called out an accomplice’s name during the alleged crime.

Sattiewhite is accused of being the triggerman.