Murder suspect ruled mentally incompetent
USA Today • • entertainment
Key Points:
- A Los Angeles judge ruled that Michael Gledhill, accused of stabbing and killing 81-year-old actor James Handy, is not mentally competent to stand trial, as he cannot understand the case or assist in his defense.
- Gledhill, 44, the son of Handy's girlfriend, was arrested and charged with murder after the June 3 incident, with bail set at $2 million; he reportedly confessed to the crime at the scene.
- The court will hold a placement recommendation hearing on July 14 to decide where Gledhill will receive mental health treatment aimed at restoring his competency for trial.
- Wendy Gledhill, Michael's mother and Handy's partner, stated that her son has schizophrenia and had stopped taking his medication shortly before the killing, expressing deep sorrow for the tragedy.
- James Handy was a veteran actor known for roles in films such as "Top Gun: Maverick," "Jumanji," and "Logan," as well as TV shows like "Profiler" and "Alias," with his death confirmed to be caused by stab wounds and neck compression.
