A man accused of fatally stabbing another man during an altercation in downtown San Diego was found Wednesday to be incompetent to stand trial.
Santiago Abraham Jr. was ordered to be sent to a state psychiatric hospital by Judge Steven Stone.
Abraham previously pleaded not guilty to a murder charge and his lawyer had claimed self-defense.
At a hearing in July, Deputy District Attorney Melissa Vasel told a judge that a patrol officer saw the 65-year-old defendant and the 43-year-old victim arguing at about 3:15 a.m. on June 28 in the 400 block of Broadway.
Sean Ziegler backed up and put his hands in the air, and Abraham stabbed him in the neck, Vasel alleged.
Ziegler, of Maryland, was taken to a hospital, where he later died.
Criminal proceedings against Abraham were suspended while he undergoes treatment. If eventually convicted, he could face 26 years to life in prison.
—City News Service
