REDWOOD CITY — The man accused of raping a fellow patient in the San Mateo Medical Center psychiatric ward now faces additional charges for allegedly attacking a jail guard, attorneys said Tuesday.
Ronald O’Brien, 27, pleaded not guilty Friday to one felony count of battery on a custodial officer and is due back in court June 10, when court-appointed doctors are slated to deliver their evaluations on whether O’Brien is competent to stand trial, said Chief Deputy District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe.
O’Brien was in his cell at the San Mateo County jail April 29 when a correctional officer walked in during a routine check. The officer discovered that O’Brien was taking food from his meal tray and smashing it into the floor, according to prosecutors.
The officer told O’Brien to hand over the tray, but instead O’Brien rushed at the officer and punched him in the head, prosecutors say, adding that it took several other officers to restrain him.
This is the latest in a series of criminal and psychiatric problems for O’Brien, who is accused of raping a 23-year-old woman and fellow patient at the medical center in March.
However, both cases are on hold until court-appointed doctors decide if O’Brien is mentally healthy enough to aid in his own defense.
Defense attorney Paul DeMeester called the battery charge “a waste of police and prosecution resources.” He added that O’Brien is seriously mentally ill and needs to be in a facility where he can be properly treated.
“Why is the DA charging this case, and why is the sheriff’s department not more competent in dealing with someone who has serious mental problems?” he said.
Wagstaffe said O’Brien has a history of attacking the people tasked with taking care of him and needs to be held accountable.
O’Brien is being held in lieu of $200,000 bail
Be the first to comment