Judge Suspends Case For Monk Charged With Attempted Murder
Bay City News Service Published 6:09 pm, Thursday, December 15, 2016
OAKLAND (BCN)
A judge today suspended criminal proceedings for a Buddhist monk who's charged with attempted murder and aggravated mayhem for allegedly trying to stab a fellow monk to death at an Oakland temple last year.
Acting after the monk's lawyer questioned his mental competency to stand trial, Alameda County Superior Court Judge Paul Delucchi ordered that two psychiatrists examine 31-year-old Phen Sokphanna and report their findings at a hearing on Jan. 26.
Oakland police said Sokphanna grabbed two knives and stabbed 66-year-old Mahamonirath Pinn several times in the head and face at the Cambodian monastery at 624 Douglas Ave. on June 16, 2015. Officers who responded to the incident found Pinn suffering from stab wounds but Sokphanna fled before they arrived.
Pinn was shown a photo of Sokphanna and he confirmed Sokphanna was the man who stabbed him, according to court filings by Oakland police Officer Michael Troupe. A witness also identified Sokphanna as the suspect, police said.
After he was arrested Sokphanna admitted that he had carried out the stabbing, according to Troupe.
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