A homeless man who allegedly stabbed a Peninsula Hospital employee nine times in the emergency room has been declared not competent and his defense is initiating mental health diversion proceedings, San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said.
The defense lawyer for Joseph Alvillar, 53, will make a case to a judge that his client’s case would be best suited for mental health diversion in coming months. If the argument is not accepted, Alvillar will be committed to the Napa State Hospital for up to two years to attempt to restore competency, Wagstaffe said.Â
Further mental health diversion court dates will be set Aug. 12.Â
Alvillar was allegedly sitting in the Burlingame emergency room on Feb. 7, talking to himself and saying he was looking for a man dressed in white, according to the DA’s Office. The victim — wearing a white hospital surgical gown — approached him, at which point Alvillar allegedly attacked him, stabbing him six times in the back, twice in the chest and once under the chin with a pocketknife.
The victim survived, District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said previously.
Alvillar, who has a history of mental illness, was originally charged with three felonies, including attempted murder, and will face up to 13 years in prison if criminally convicted.
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
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PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
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