The  former teenage ward accused of killing a man last year after walking away from a juvenile detention camp is competent to stand trial on murder charges, a judge ruled.

The judicial decision is the exact opposite conclusion reached by a trio of court-appointed doctors who in July decided Adrian Sedano was not able to aid in his own defense. Rather than accept that outcome, prosecutors sought a trial on the matter. After a four-day hearing filled with expert testimony, Judge Robert Foiles found Sedano competent.

Sanity is a defendant’s state of mind at the time of an alleged crime while competency is the ability to aid in one’s own defense.

Foiles’ ruling means Sedano will stand trial and face prison rather than be treated at a state hospital. Criminal proceedings, which were on hold pending the competency trial outcome, were reinstated and Sedano was ordered back to court Nov. 9 to set a preliminary hearing date.

Sedano is accused of fatally stabbing a 23-year-old Redwood City man Aug. 9, 2008 after walking away from Camp Glenwood, a San Mateo County honor camp in La Honda for wards of the juvenile justice system. Although Sedano was 16 at the time, prosecutors charged him as an adult on charges of murder and the use of a knife.

The fatal fight allegedly started between a group of girls at the 7-Eleven at the corner of Hess and Woodside roads in Redwood City. The fight continued to spark during the evening and resulted in Sedano, co-defendant Christian Lopez and the victim getting into an altercation in front of an apartment complex at 551 Geneva Ave. Police quickly obtained a search warrant for one of the apartments. Inside, police found Sedano and Lopez arguing with two girls from the earlier fight.

Lopez, 17, was initially charged with murder as an adult but prosecutors lowered the charges to assault with a deadly weapon because he didn’t wield the knife. Lopez pleaded no contest to the charge with no promise of a specific sentence. However, Lopez was immediately released from custody on his own recognizance pending a Nov. 19 sentencing hearing at which he faces up to four years prison.

Sedano remains in custody.  

Michelle Durand can be reached by e-mail: michelle@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 102.