Psychologist Finds Redmond O’Neal Competent To Stand Trial In Attempted Murder Case
Dec. 5 2018, Updated 1:19 p.m. ET
A court appointed psychologist found Ryan O'Neal and Farrah Fawcett's son, Redmond, competent to stand trial, possibly bringing the troubled 33-year old closer to facing attempted murder charges, RadarOnline.com exclusively learned.
O’Neal, who faces 20 years being bars related to his alleged week-long crime spree in May that left at least two Los Angeles men critically injured, did not appear at his hearing on Tuesday afternoon in Mental Health Court, but psychologist Anna Kafka met with the 33-year old inside the inmate holding area in the Los Angeles courtroom for about 15 minutes.
Kafka's assessment meant she believed O’Neal understood the serious charges against him and the criminal proceedings he would face. It also meant Kafka believed O’Neal would be able to assist in his own defense.
O’Neal is facing at least 20 years in state prison for a week-long crime spree in early May where he allegedly robbed a convenience store in Santa Monica and attacked two men. According to prosecutors, O'Neal plunged a three-and-a-half inch knife into the head of one man and attacked another man with a broken glass bottle.
On Tuesday, one of O’Neal’s attorneys, Dana Cole, told Judge Roberto Longoria that O'Neal initially refused to speak to another court appointed psychologist, Sanjay Sahgal, and asked if their client could see the Sahgal again.
Judge Roberto Longoria said he would approve an order for Sahgal to visit O’Neal in county jail, where he had been incarcerated since his arrest in May 2018. In the meantime, the judge also asked Kafka to provide her report to both sides.
A trial setting conference has been set for January to see whether or not a separate hearing is needed to determine whether O’Neal is competent to stand trial or not.
"I would like to get this done sooner rather than later," Deputy District Attorney Michael Stewart said of Sahgal's jail visit and assessment.
If Sahgal maintains O’Neal is not competent to stand trial, there would be two differing opinions from court appointed psychologists. The judge could either order a third psychologist to see O’Neal, who then could provide a tie-breaking assessment, or the judge could set a hearing date.
During that hearing, both Sahgal and Kafka would be called to testify concerning their findings. Under the law, a defendant who has a mental illness could still be deemed competent to stand trial.
A family friend, who attended Tuesday's hearing, was visibly upset and shook her head as she exited the courtroom flanked by O’Neal’s attorneys. Neither Ryan O'Neal or his famous actress daughter, Tatum, have attended Redmond's various mental health hearings.
Never Miss an
Daily updates from the heart of Hollywood, right to your inbox
By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you’re agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
O’Neal has struggled off and on with drug addiction, and family friends say the famous son of Ryan O'Neal and Farrah Fawcett has serious mental health issues that have only worsened since his mother's death from cancer on June 25, 2009.
We pay for juicy info! Do you have a story for RadarOnline.com? Email us at tips@radaronline.com, or call us at (866) ON-RADAR (667-2327) any time, day or night.
