Lafayette Murder Trial Paused After Suspect Competency Concerns Arise

Courtroom proceedings in the case of a Chico man accused of murdering a Lafayette resident on his family property March 21 have been paused amid questions of the suspect’s mental competency with what, if any, connection existed between the two before their lethal meeting still a mystery.

Judge Terri Mockler ordered David Swank Prince, 35, of Chico to undergo a competency evaluation after the accused killer’s attorney raised the question of the accused’s ability to comprehend the charges against him.

Mockler is expected to appoint a doctor to interview and assess Prince’s mental competency and ability to stand trial at a hearing scheduled for today, April 21.

Prince remains in custody at the Martinez Detention Facility, his home since he was arrested not far from where he allegedly attacked and killed Christopher Jaber with a hatchet on the Jaber family’s Westminster Place property. His bail remains set at $1 million.

A motive for the slaying has not been established, though police have acknowledged seeing rambling Facebook posts from a person identifying himself as Prince calling for Jaber’s death – and providing the victim’s name, age, and city of residence. The Facebook account, which included a photo of a man purported to be Prince, has since been deleted.