A homeless man accused of beating to death another man on a street near Redwood City two years ago entered a second plea of not guilty by reason of insanity Thursday, nine months after he was released from a state mental institution.
Paul Ahern, 54, is charged with beating Michael Gonzalez, 46, to death during a fight June 9, 2014, on the 3100 block of Middlefield Road in an unincorporated part of San Mateo County.
Ahern previously pleaded not guilty and on Thursday entered another plea that he is not responsible for the murder due to being insane, according to District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe.
If found not guilty by reason of insanity, Ahern could spend anywhere between 180 days to life at a state mental hospital, Wagstaffe said.
Two doctors were appointed to examine him and the reports are expected by a July 7 hearing date, Wagstaffe said.
In September 2014, two doctors concluded he wasn’t competent to stand trial and in January 2015 he was committed to the Napa State Hospital. At the time, Ahern consented to involuntary medication if hospital doctors determined it to be necessary. In August 2015, he was found competent to stand trial and returned to court.
Ahern was issued a June 10 hearing to set a jury trial date.
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