Man Is Mentally Competent to Be Tried in Death of Boy, Judge Rules
A Superior Court judge ruled Friday that Brandon Wilson, the Wisconsin drifter who has admitted killing a 9-year-old boy in an Oceanside bathroom, is mentally competent to stand trial.
Judge Judith Hayes made the ruling after reviewing an evaluation of Wilson conducted by a forensic psychiatrist. Wilson, 20, is charged in the Nov. 14 slashing death of Matthew Cecchi of Oroville, who was taking part in a family reunion at a popular beach near Oceanside Harbor.
Wilson’s court-appointed lawyer had requested the evaluation. In a brief court hearing, Wilson remained silent; at an earlier hearing he blurted out, “I did it. I killed him. I killed the little boy.”
Prosecutors have alleged special circumstances--killing by ambush and torture--that could lead to a request for the death penalty. A hearing to schedule a preliminary hearing was set for Dec. 29.
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