GUILTY CA - Oakland, Nia Wilson stabbed to death on BART, sister injured, 22 Jul 2018 *Arrest*

[YESorNO]

Mental competency hearing postponed for Nia Wilson BART stabbing suspect
John Lee Cowell is accused of killing Nia Wilson at a BART station in July; hearing now set for March 8.

March 1, 2019

"On Dec. 28, Cramer suspended criminal proceedings in the Wilson case after Cowell’s attorney, Christina Moore, questioned his mental health.

In mid-December, Moore said she doubted her client’s mental competency to help her in the trial, saying that he exhibited signs of extreme delusion and paranoia. On Dec. 28, Moore cited multiple instances where law enforcement took Cowell into an involuntary psychiatric hold — 22 times from 2012 to his arrest in July.

In one instance in the hospital, he was so delusional that he talked to hospital staff about removing his breast implants, Moore said.

Judge Cramer found there was sufficient evidence from Moore’s statements and declaration she filed with the court to suspend criminal proceedings and assigned two psychiatrists to the case.

The two doctors were to evaluate Cowell and determine if he is competent to stand trial. At am earlier court hearing, the first doctor found Cowell incompetent. The second doctor’s report was scheduled today.

A third doctor may be assigned if there is a tie between the two doctors."

Mental competency hearing postponed for Nia Wilson BART stabbing suspect – The Mercury News

 

[Niner]

Friday, March 8th:
*Competency Report Hearing (@ 8:30am PT) – CA – Nia Wilson (18) (July 22, 2018, MacArthur BART Station, Oakland; her sister was injured) – *John Lee Cowell (27) arrested (7/23/18) & charged (7/25/18) with murder & attempted murder with special allegations of using a deadly weapon on each charge. No bond.
In May 2016 he was convicted of felony second-degree robbery. A Kaiser hospital in Richmond had also obtained a restraining order against him in April 2016 because they said he repeatedly harassed & threatened staff members.
A restraining order was also filed against him in 2015. With 2016 bookings in Alameda County for misdemeanor infractions involving possession of a controlled substance, petty theft, & vandalism (malicious destruction of property).
In 2013, he was convicted of battery in Walnut Creek.
Cowell had just been released on parole in May 2018 (after serving 2 years), after fulfilling his complete prison sentence for robbery.
Cowell faces a potential life sentence if found guilty of any of the charges, and his prior criminal history could lead to an additional 25-to-life sentence under California’s three-strikes law.
Detention hearing was 7/25/18; Enter Plea hearing on 8/22 was extended to 11/27 & now to 12/20.
12/20/18 Update: Defense attorney says her client is incompetent to stand trial. Judge moves for Competency hearing on 12/27.
12/27/18 Update: Judge suspends criminal case allowing time for doctors to determine his mentally fit to stand trial. Competency Report hearing on 2/13.
2/13/19 Update: Hearing moved to 3/1/19, as evaluation will be on 2/22. 3/1/19: Competency hearing moved to 3/8.

 

[YESorNO]

Competency hearing postponed in Nia Wilson BART stabbing case

March 8, 2019

"OAKLAND — A judge on Friday again postponed a hearing until March 15 regarding the mental competency of the man accused of fatally stabbing Nia Wilson at a BART station...

In what was supposed to be a mental competency hearing — which was postponed from March 1 — Cowell’s attorney, Christina Moore, told Judge James Cramer that the second doctor that was assigned to evaluate Cowell could not reach a conclusion on Cowell’s mental fitness.

At an earlier court hearing, the first court-appointed doctor found Cowell incompetent.

Moore asked the judge to base Cowell’s mental competency on the single doctor’s report and to set a hearing date.

Cramer, however, postponed a decision until March 15 and ordered the reports by the psychiatrists sealed. A third doctor may be assigned to evaluate Cowell.

After the postponement, both Wilson’s mother and father expressed frustration with the delays in brief statements to the media outside the courtroom...."

Competency hearing postponed in Nia Wilson BART stabbing

 

[YESorNO]

April hearing to set trial date in Nia Wilson BART stabbing case
Suspect John Lee Cowell’s mental competency also will be considered

March 15, 2019

"OAKLAND — A judge on Friday set an April 5 hearing to schedule a trial date in the Nia Wilson BART stabbing case.

At that hearing, Judge James Cramer also will rule on the mental competency of John Lee Cowell, 27, who is accused of fatally stabbing Wilson in the throat July 22 at the MacArthur BART station platform and attempting to kill her sister. Authorities say Cowell then wiped and dumped the weapon in a construction yard near the station.

Cramer scheduled the hearing at 9 a.m. April 5 in Alameda County Superior Court.

The small courtroom, which seats about 60 people, was packed Friday morning with family, friends and supporters of Wilson, including Alicia Grayson, Wilson’s mother, and Ansar Mohammed, Wilson’s father.

Cowell’s mental competency has been an issue in the case. Cramer had assigned two court-appointed psychiatrists to evaluate Cowell. At an earlier court hearing, one doctor found Cowell incompetent. On March 8, Cowell’s attorney, Christina Moore, told Cramer that the second psychiatrist could not reach a conclusion on Cowell’s mental fitness.

Cramer said Friday that both the prosecution and the defense agreed against assigning a third doctor to evaluate Cowell...."

Hearing set to decide trial date in Nia Wilson BART case

 

[Niner]

Friday, April 5th:
*Competency Review Hearing (@ 9am PT) – CA – Nia Wilson (18) (July 22, 2018, MacArthur BART Station, Oakland; her sister was injured) – *John Lee Cowell (27) arrested (7/23/18) & charged (7/25/18) with murder & attempted murder with special allegations of using a deadly weapon on each charge. No bond.
Court information from 7/25/18 thru 2/13/19 reference post #22 here:
CA - Oakland, Nia Wilson stabbed to death on BART, sister injured, John Cowell is suspect, 7/22/18
3/8/19 Update: A judge on Friday again postponed a hearing until March 15 regarding the mental competency of Cowell. Cowell’s attorney, Christina Moore, told Judge James Cramer that the second doctor that was assigned to evaluate Cowell could not reach a conclusion on Cowell’s mental fitness. At an earlier court hearing, the first court-appointed doctor found Cowell incompetent. Moore asked the judge to base Cowell’s mental competency on the single doctor’s report & to set a hearing date. Cramer, however, postponed a decision until March 15 & ordered the reports by the psychiatrists sealed. A third doctor may be assigned to evaluate Cowell.
3/15/19 Update: Judge postpones hearing on 3/15, will order a third doctor to evaluate Cowell. Next hearing on 4/5 to set trial date. Judge James Cramer also will rule on the mental competency.

 

[Niner]

Competency of BART stabbing suspect remains a big legal issue


OAKLAND (BCN) - Prosecutors and defense lawyers are still battling about the mental competency of a transient charged with murder for the fatal stabbing of 18-year-old Nia Wilson at the MacArthur BART station in Oakland last July.

John Lee Cowell, 28, who is charged with murder for the stabbing death at the MacArthur station at about 9:36 p.m. on July 22, was scheduled to appear in court on Friday but his hearing was postponed until April 19 because of the ongoing legal squabbling in his case.
[.....]
(Judge) Cramer appointed two psychiatrists to examine Cowell and submit reports to the court on their findings about his mental competence but their conclusions differed.
[.....]
However, Alameda County prosecutors want Cramer to appoint a third psychiatrist to examine Cowell.

But Cowell's attorneys oppose appointing a third psychiatrist and that's one of the issues that Cramer will rule on at the April 19 hearing.
[.....]
Another issue that Cramer will address on April 19 is the prosecution's request for confidential medical and mental health records for Cowell's entire life.

 

[YESorNO]

Family Of Nia Wilson, Teen Killed At Train Station, Sues Agency Over Lack Of Safety
The 18-year-old was stabbed to death at a BART station in Oakland, California, last summer.

04/12/2019

"The family of Nia Wilson, the teenager killed on a San Francisco Bay Area train platform last year, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the transit agency on Friday, arguing that it’s not doing enough to ensure riders’ safety.

The lawsuit, which was first reported by the San Francisco Chronicle, alleges that better security in the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system would prevent fare evaders from entering train platforms.

“Plaintiffs contend that Nia Wilson’s death was not a horrific anomaly, but rather the result of a serious and endemic public safety problem,” the lawsuit states.

Wilson, 18, was fatally stabbed while standing at a BART station with her sister in Oakland last July. The accused killer, John Lee Cowell, was a known fare evader. ..

Crowell is awaiting a mental competency hearing in order to determine whether he’s fit to stand trial. Though there was widespread speculation that Cowell attacked Wilson because she was black, he has not been charged with a hate crime. "

Family Of Nia Wilson, Teen Killed At Train Station, Sues Agency Over Lack Of Safety | HuffPost

 

[Niner]

Friday, April 19th:
*Competency Review Hearing (@ 9am PT) – CA – Nia Wilson (18) (July 22, 2018, MacArthur BART Station, Oakland; her sister was injured) – *John Lee Cowell (27) arrested (7/23/18) & charged (7/25/18) with murder & attempted murder with special allegations of using a deadly weapon on each charge. No bond.
Court information from 7/25/18 thru 2/13/19 reference post #22 here:
CA - Oakland, Nia Wilson stabbed to death on BART, sister injured, John Cowell is suspect, 7/22/18
3/8/19 Update: A judge on Friday again postponed a hearing until March 15 regarding the mental competency of Cowell. Cowell’s attorney, Christina Moore, told Judge James Cramer that the second doctor that was assigned to evaluate Cowell could not reach a conclusion on Cowell’s mental fitness. At an earlier court hearing, the first court-appointed doctor found Cowell incompetent. Moore asked the judge to base Cowell’s mental competency on the single doctor’s report & to set a hearing date. Cramer, however, postponed a decision until March 15 & ordered the reports by the psychiatrists sealed. A third doctor may be assigned to evaluate Cowell.
3/15/19 Update: Judge postpones hearing on 3/15, will order a third doctor to evaluate Cowell. Next hearing on 4/5 to set trial date. Judge James Cramer also will rule on the mental competency. 4/5/19: Hearing was rescheduled for 4/19.

 

[Niner]

Oakland: Judge may release John Cowell's mental health records

OAKLAND — Prosecutors may get to look at vital psychiatric records for the man accused of fatally stabbing Nia Wilson at a BART station, a judge ruled Friday.
[.....]
In a hearing Friday regarding Cowell’s mental competency, Alameda County Superior Court Judge James Cramer indicated he would make a final decision on the records release on Wednesday (4/24/19).

 

[Niner]

Wednesday, April 24th:
*Competency Review Hearing (@ 9am PT) – CA – Nia Wilson (18) (July 22, 2018, MacArthur BART Station, Oakland; her sister was injured) – *John Lee Cowell (27) arrested (7/23/18) & charged (7/25/18) with murder & attempted murder with special allegations of using a deadly weapon on each charge. No bond.
Court information from 7/25/18 thru 2/13/19 reference post #22 here:
CA - Oakland, Nia Wilson stabbed to death on BART, sister injured, John Cowell is suspect, 7/22/18
3/8/19 Update: A judge on Friday again postponed a hearing until March 15 regarding the mental competency of Cowell. Cowell’s attorney, Christina Moore, told Judge James Cramer that the second doctor that was assigned to evaluate Cowell could not reach a conclusion on Cowell’s mental fitness. At an earlier court hearing, the first court-appointed doctor found Cowell incompetent. Moore asked the judge to base Cowell’s mental competency on the single doctor’s report & to set a hearing date. Cramer, however, postponed a decision until March 15 & ordered the reports by the psychiatrists sealed. A third doctor may be assigned to evaluate Cowell.
3/15/19 Update: Judge postpones hearing on 3/15, will order a third doctor to evaluate Cowell. Next hearing on 4/5 to set trial date. Judge James Cramer also will rule on the mental competency. 4/5/19: Hearing was rescheduled for 4/19.
4/19/19 Update Judge will decided on Wednesday, 4/24 on mental competency.

 

[YESorNO]

Judge allows prosecution expert to examine BART stabbing suspect

Apr 24 2019

"OAKLAND, Calif. (BCN) - A judge on Wednesday granted the prosecution's request to have a psychiatrist it has hired conduct a mental examination of a transient charged with murder for the fatal stabbing of 18-year-old Nia Wilson at the MacArthur BART station in Oakland last July.

Dr. Jason Roof is to examine John Lee Cowell, 28, for three to four hours on May 30 at the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin, where he is being held without bail for the stabbing at the MacArthur station at 9:36 p.m. on July 22, 2018, Alameda County Superior Court Judge James Cramer said....

Cramer said Wednesday that there will be a trial "soon" on whether Cowell is competent to stand trial....

Cramer ordered Cowell to return to court on May 6, when he will determine which of Cowell's psychiatric records will be provided to the prosecution and Root and to set the date for the trial on his competency...."

Judge allows prosecution expert to examine BART stabbing suspect

 

[Niner]

Monday, May 6th:
*Competency Review Hearing (@ 9am PT) – CA – Nia Wilson (18) (July 22, 2018, MacArthur BART Station, Oakland; her sister was injured) – *John Lee Cowell (27) arrested (7/23/18) & charged (7/25/18) with murder & attempted murder with special allegations of using a deadly weapon on each charge. No bond.
Court hearings from 7/25/18 thru 4/5/19 reference post #30 here:
CA - Oakland, Nia Wilson stabbed to death on BART, sister injured, 22 Jul 2018 *Arrest*
4/19/19 Update: Judge will decide on 4/24 on mental competency.
4/24/19 Update: A judge on Wednesday granted the prosecution's request to have a psychiatrist it has hired conduct a mental exam. Dr. Jason Roof is to examine Cowell for three to four hours on May 30 at the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin. Cramer ordered Cowell to return to court on May 6, when he will determine which of Cowell's psychiatric records will be provided to the prosecution & Root & to set the date for the trial on his competency.

 

[JerseyGirl]

July 29 Trial Set on BART Stabbing Suspect's Competency

 

[Niner]

Friday, May 10th:
*Motions Hearing (@ 9am PT) – CA – Nia Wilson (18) (July 22, 2018, MacArthur BART Station, Oakland; her sister was injured) – *John Lee Cowell (27) arrested (7/23/18) & charged (7/25/18) with murder & attempted murder with special allegations of using a deadly weapon on each charge. No bond.
Court hearings from 7/25/18 thru 4/5/19 reference post #30 here:
CA - Oakland, Nia Wilson stabbed to death on BART, sister injured, 22 Jul 2018 *Arrest*
4/19/19 Update: Judge will decide on 4/24 on mental competency.
4/24/19 Update: A judge on Wednesday granted the prosecution's request to have a psychiatrist it has hired conduct a mental exam. Dr. Jason Roof is to examine Cowell for three to four hours on May 30 at the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin. Cramer ordered Cowell to return to court on May 6, when he will determine which of Cowell's psychiatric records will be provided to the prosecution & Root & to set the date for the trial on his competency.
5/6/19 Update: The prosecution wants its expert, Dr. Jason Roof, to be able to review the records before he examines John Lee Cowell, 28, for three to four hours on May 30 at the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin. A judge on Monday scheduled a trial to begin July 29 on the mental competency. Cowell is scheduled to return to court on Friday (5/10) for a hearing on a motion by his lawyers to bar Roof from conducting one of the tests he wants to perform on Cowell.

 

[Niner]

Any updates on the motions hearing?

@YESorNO or @JerseyGirl ?? TIA!

 

[YESorNO]

Any updates on the motions hearing?

@YESorNO or @JerseyGirl ?? TIA!

Nope...

 

[Niner]

oops wrong day....

 

[Niner]

Friday, June 7th:
*Motions Hearing (@ 9am PT) – CA – Nia Wilson (18) (July 22, 2018, MacArthur BART Station, Oakland; her sister was injured) – *John Lee Cowell (27) arrested (7/23/18) & charged (7/25/18) with murder & attempted murder with special allegations of using a deadly weapon on each charge. No bond.
Court hearings from 7/25/18 thru 4/5/19 reference post #30 here:
CA - Oakland, Nia Wilson stabbed to death on BART, sister injured, 22 Jul 2018 *Arrest*
4/19/19 Update: Judge will decide on 4/24 on mental competency.
4/24/19 Update: A judge on Wednesday granted the prosecution's request to have a psychiatrist it has hired conduct a mental exam. Dr. Jason Roof is to examine Cowell for three to four hours on May 30 at the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin. Cramer ordered Cowell to return to court on May 6, when he will determine which of Cowell's psychiatric records will be provided to the prosecution & Root & to set the date for the trial on his competency.
5/6/19 Update: The prosecution wants its expert, Dr. Jason Roof, to be able to review the records before he examines John Lee Cowell, 28, for three to four hours on May 30 at the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin. A judge on Monday scheduled a trial to begin July 29 on the mental competency. Cowell is scheduled to return to court on Friday (5/10) for a hearing on a motion by his lawyers to bar Roof from conducting one of the tests he wants to perform on Cowell.
6/6/19 Update: Motion hearing on 6/7 re to bar Dr. Jason Roof from conducting one of the tests he wants to perform on Cowell.

 

[Niner]

Just bumping this up if anyone hears anything.... unless it's just the 7/29 competency trial.

 

[YESorNO]

Nia Wilson Murder Suspect Found Mentally Competent To Stand Trial (with clip)

July 17, 2019

"OAKLAND (CBS SF) – The man suspected of stabbing Nia Wilson to death on a BART platform in Oakland has been found mentally competent by a judge to stand trial Wednesday.

A jury date will be set for John Lee Cowell after he enters a plea on August 2....

Alameda County Superior Court Judge James Cramer suspended the criminal proceedings against Cowell, 28, last Dec. 27, saying there was “substantial evidence” that he’s mentally incompetent to stand trial.

But at a hearing on Wednesday, Cramer reinstated the criminal proceedings against Cowell, based in part on a recent doctor’s report that found that Cowell is competent to stand trial.

One psychiatrist who examined Cowell earlier this year said he believed Cowell is incompetent to stand trial but another expert said he was unable to arrive at a conclusion about Cowell’s competency.

Cowell is charged with murder and attempted murder for allegedly stabbing Wilson and her sister, 26-year-old Letifah Wilson, as well as a special circumstance allegation that he killed Wilson while lying in wait, an allegation that could result in the death penalty or life in prison without parole if he’s convicted.

Cowell, who’s being held at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin without bail, is scheduled to return to court on Aug. 2 to enter a plea. A trial date will be set later.

A trial on Cowell’s mental competency had been scheduled to begin on July 29 but that has now been canceled.

Cowell’s attorney Christina Moore said in a statement that Cramer’s ruling “means that today the court has found that John Cowell is mentally well enough for the case to proceed.”

But she said, “No ruling has been made about what John’s mental state was at the time of the alleged offense. That is a separate, distinct question.”..."

Nia Wilson Murder Suspect Found Mentally Competent To Stand Trial