Judge finds Handy murder suspect incompetent, trial halted

A Los Angeles judge has ruled that a man charged with murdering actor James Handy is mentally incompetent to stand trial, suspending criminal proceedings and ordering a year of involuntary psychiatric treatment. The decision came during a hearing on Monday, June 22, concerning 44-year-old Michael Gledhill, the son of Handy’s girlfriend.

Handy, 81, was found stabbed and unconscious in the front yard of a home in the Tarzana neighborhood on Wednesday, June 3. He was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. His death certificate, obtained this week, lists the cause as multiple traumatic injuries, including a stab wound to the torso and neck compression, with no underlying health conditions contributing. He was cremated on June 17.

Police arrested Gledhill at the scene. Authorities reported that the 911 call preceding their arrival came from a man who stated, “I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin.” Gledhill has been charged with murder and is being held on $2 million bail. He has not entered a plea.

At the competency hearing, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Maria Cavalluzzi ruled that Gledhill cannot understand the case against him or assist his lawyer in...