Lake Elsinore, California – Prosecutors in Riverside County say a man charged with murdering a sheriff’s deputy is deliberately pretending to be mentally incompetent in an effort to avoid facing the most severe punishment under California law.
Charges and potential punishment
Jesse Ceazar Navarro, 45, is charged with the murder of Riverside County Sheriff’s Deputy Darnell Calhoun, 30, along with discharging a firearm from a vehicle with intent to kill. Because prosecutors allege that Navarro intentionally killed a peace officer while the deputy was performing official duties, special circumstances apply, making Navarro eligible for the death penalty, according to the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors argue that rather than accepting responsibility, Navarro is attempting to manipulate the legal system by claiming he is not mentally competent to stand trial.
Prosecutors allege deliberate manipulation
During opening statements in Navarro’s mental competency proceedings, Deputy District Attorney Marcus Garrett accused the defendant of actively pretending to be mentally impaired.
“The defendant is trying to manipulate the justice system,” Garrett told the court, adding that Navarro has demonstrated an ability to multi-task, retain information, and understand legal proceedings…