Court proceedings have been suspended indefinitely for a man accused of committing a lewd act on a child under 14.
Colusa County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey A. Thompson and District Attorney Matthew Beauchamp on Monday said they accept the evaluating psychiatrist’s report that Rafael Gomez Gomez, 80, of Williams, is not competent to stand trial or aid in his own defense.
Gomez reportedly suffers from Alzheimer’s or dementia, which has progressed since his arrest by the Williams Police Department on April 26, following allegations that he possibly molested multiple victims in his Williams neighborhood.
Gomez has remained out of jail since May and has been under the watchful care of his family, where he will remain until the state can find appropriate placement.
Gomez is facing up to 15 years in prison if ever convicted, but Gomez has had difficulty understanding the charges against him and the court proceedings, according to his attorney.
Thompson has scheduled March 7 to review the case and has referred Gomez for appropriate placement in a state mental health facility. ■