Tragic Turn: Redmond O’Neal Appears Confused In Court Amid Attempted Murder Charges
‘It doesn’t matter,” Farrah Fawcett’s son tells judge during emotional hearing.
Feb. 26 2019, Published 9:41 p.m. ET
Redmond O'Neal appeared confused during a court hearing in Los Angeles on Tuesday as the 34-year continues to wait on whether or not he will be sent to a state mental hospital before facing serious criminal charges.
A commissioner told the troubled son of Ryan O'Neal and Farrah Fawcett he would have to come back next month while the court waits for a report from yet another psychiatrist, who recently examined the 34-year old O'Neal.
O'Neal, who has been in jail since May 2018, is facing felony criminal charges, including attempted murder, in connection to a week-long crime spree that left at least two men seriously injured. The case, however, was moved to Mental Health Court last year after O'Neal's attorney, Nina Daly, said her client was unable to assist her in his defense.
On Tuesday, Daly and his other attorney, Dana Cole, told Commissioner Laura Stremer they are still waiting for the evaluation from a third psychiatrist. The commissioner agreed to continue the hearing to next month.
When Stremer asked O'Neal whether he wanted to appear in court for his next hearing, O'Neal looked confused and said, "It doesn't matter. Whatever you want judge." O'Neal, who was wearing blue L.A. County Jail garb, thanked the commissioner as he was ushered out of the court by bailiffs.
According to court documents obtained by RadarOnline.com, one psychologist in Oct. 2018 deemed O'Neal incompetent to stand trial after reviewing hundreds of pages of O'Neal's extensive jail, medical and mental health files. O'Neal, who has been in and out of treatment centers for his drug addiction and mental health struggles, was diagnosed with Major Depresssive, Bipolar and Schizoaffective disorders.
Another psychiatrist, who observed O'Neal in court for about 10 to 15 minutes in Nov. 2018, found he was mentally competent to stand trial. Now O'Neal's attorneys hired a third psychiatrist, who could provide a tie-breaking opinion.
Once prosecutors and the defense attorneys receives the third report, they will confer whether they agree to submit the case to the court. If both sides still cannot come to an agreement, there could be a bench or jury trial specifically on O'Neal's mental competency.
In order to be deemed competent to stand trial, O'Neal must be able to assist his attorney in his defense, and also be able to understand the severity of his charges. If he is deemed not mentally competent, O'Neal will be sent to a state mental health facility where he would be treated.
O'Neal, who was recently placed on suicide watch for about two weeks at L.A. County Jail, is still not taking any medication, according to sources.
The only son of star Farrah Fawcett and actor Ryan O'Neal, who himself has been battling serious health issues, could still face up to 20 years in state prison in his impending criminal case.
O'Neal is facing various charges, including attempted murder, second degree robbery, and drug charges. According to prosecutors, O'Neal started his week-long crime spree on May 2 when he stabbed a man with a broken glass bottle in Venice, Calif. Police also allege O'Neal stabbed one man in the head multiple times on May 4, and then held up a 7-Eleven Store in Venice a few days later.
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O'Neal's godmother and family members, including his famous father and sister, Tatum, have written letters to the judge pleading the court to consider the 34-year old's long history of drug and alcohol abuse, depression and psychological issues.
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