Woman found not competent to stand trial in Cal City attack
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A woman accused of attacking a business owner in California City has been found not competent to stand trial, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
Lita Barnes will be sent to a state hospital where doctors will attempt to restore her to competency to face trial on charges of attempted murder, kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon and false imprisonment with violence. The criminal case against her has been suspended.
Barnes’ co-defendant, Shelton Hickman, was found competent last month and has a preliminary hearing scheduled in July.
On April 30, California City police were called to a report of an attempted robbery in the 9000 block of California City Boulevard and found a 56-year-old woman being treated for injuries to her face and head.
Police said the victim told them a man and woman who daily ask for money entered the business and requested photocopies. While the owner made the photocopies, the man grabbed her and tried to drag her into a bathroom, she told police.
The woman bashed the business owner repeatedly with a pole as they tried to force her into the bathroom, the victim said. Hickman and Barnes were detained nearby and identified as the assailants.
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