Murder trial delayed for man accused of killing City Heights grandmother in 2023
For the third time in almost as many years, the competency of a man awaiting trial on murder is in question.
Siliveinusi Hamala, 25, is accused of attacking a 65-year-old grandmother in a City Heights park near their homes. Chi Cao was stabbed to death as she was doing her morning exercises.
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San Diego Police identified and arrested Hamala shortly after the attack, and he pleaded not guilty at his arraignment, but nearly 3 years later, he has still not stood trial for murder.
The case was set to go to trial when Hamala’s public defender said she had doubts that her client was competent to stand trial. Bridget Rubin told the court that a new clinical interpretation of Hamala’s mental status may indicate he’s not mentally prepared for the rigors of a trial.
Rubin asked the judge to suspend the case, pending the outcome of a new forensic analysis of her client’s mental state.
“This is now the third time the defense has declared a doubt as to the defendant’s competency,” said deputy district attorney Amelia Diedrich.
The prosecutor asked the judge to move forward with the murder trial since Hamala has previously been found to be competent to assist in his defense.
Judge Theodore Weathers ruled in favor of the defense, ordering a new examination of Hamala’s mental health and putting the murder trial on hold.
Cao’s family is devastated by the delay, according to the prosecutor. Cao’s grandson, Zesson Tran, called this latest delay both exhausting and frustrating.
Months before she was killed, Cao — an immigrant from Vietnam — had just become a U.S. citizen. She was proud to be an American.
“My grandma was always pushing for justice,” Tran said after NBC 7 asked whether the latest delay in Cao’s case would have upset her. “She loved America. She came here because she wanted to find justice in her own life, to liberate herself and find that freedom. So us being unable to find that quick justice is something that she would also find very disappointing.”
Hamala’s mental competency hearing is set for May 4.
