A defense request for a second evaluation forced a judge Monday to delay a mental competency hearing for a man accused of jumping on stage at a Taylor Swift concert at Petco Park and seriously injuring a member of the singer’s security team.
Christian Ewing, 26, is charged with felony assault and battery.
Monday, Judge Steven Stone received a doctor’s report on Ewing’s competency, but Ewing’s attorney asked for a second examination to determine if the defendant understands the charges against him and can assist in his own defense.
A hearing was set for Jan. 4.
At Ewing’s arraignment, Deputy District Attorney Jessica Coto said the defendant hopped a fence during Swift’s Aug. 29 concert but was told by the singer’s personal security guard, David Durkin, that he couldn’t be in that area.
Ewing was handed over to Petco Park security and was being escorted out of the San Diego venue when he escaped and ran onto the stage where Swift was performing her song “Style,” Coto said.
During a violent struggle to get Ewing off the stage, the defendant dropped his knee into Durkin’s sternum, causing the security guard’s ribs to pop up over his sternum, causing great pain, the prosecutor said.
Once Ewing was dragged off the stage, he gave police a false name, Coto alleged.
When asked why he went up on stage, the defendant replied, “I love that girl,” referring to Swift, according to the prosecutor.
Coto said Ewing had several arrests in multiple states, an active warrant for a theft-related offense out of Florida, and a felony conviction for transporting drugs from out-of-state.
Ewing faces four years in prison if convicted.
—City News Service
