A woman accused of slashing the chest of a Starbucks employee is awaiting a mental competency hearing to determine whether she is mentally fit to understand the court proceedings.
Jessica Hernandez Melgar, 39, remains in the Las Colinas Women’s Detention Facility without bail. The competency hearing is set for May 4.
She is accused of felony assault with a deadly weapon stemming from the March 12 attack at the Starbucks in the 7400 block of Clairemont Mesa Boulevard.
The worker was taken to a hospital for treatment of scrapes and a 4-inch-long cut to his chest.
Police said his injuries were not life threatening, which is probably the defendant was not charged with attempted murder.
Melgar initially pleaded not guilty to the charge in San Diego Superior Court, but her attorney has since told a judge that he doubts whether she understands the proceedings. A judge canceled a preliminary hearing, which had been set for this week, as a result.
If a judge finds she is mentally incompetent, she will be sent to a state mental hospital for treatment. If she is competent, the criminal case will resume.
Melgar is accused of slashing the worker after the employee tried to lock the front doors on her. Police said other people held the woman to the ground until officers arrived. The motive for the attack is unknown.
