Suspect Fit for Trial in Employer’s Slaying
After a year of psychiatric treatment, mental health experts say a 31-year-old computer programmer accused of fatally shooting his former boss is competent to stand trial.
Mikhail Khaimchayev is charged with murder in the Jan. 13, 1999, slaying of 36-year-old software company co-owner Sheldon Snyder.
Authorities say Khaimchayev was distraught after being fired and walked into the firm’s Camarillo offices and shot Snyder nine times before turning the gun on himself.
Khaimchayev was hospitalized for several weeks after sustaining a gunshot wound to the abdomen. His lawyer later requested a competency hearing after raising concerns about his client’s mental health.
A Ventura County Superior Court judge ruled that Khaimchayev, an immigrant from Uzbekistan, was unable to assist in his own defense after two court-appointed doctors found he was psychotic.
Khaimchayev was sent to Patton State Hospital in San Bernardino County. Deputy Dist. Atty. Bob Calvert said doctors recently concluded that he is now competent to stand trial.
Khaimchayev is to appear in court on Aug. 11 for a trial-setting conference.
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