A Los Angeles judge has ruled that a 44-year-old man, accused of fatally stabbing veteran actor James Handy, must first undergo a mental competency evaluation before facing murder charges.
Michael Ray Gledhill is charged with one count of murder in the death of the 81-year-old actor, known for his roles in “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Jumanji.” Handy was also the boyfriend of Gledhill’s mother.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has also filed a special allegation, claiming that Gledhill personally used a knife in the fatal attack.
The violent incident occurred on Wednesday outside a residence on the 19200 block of Erwin Street in Tarzana. Officers from the Los Angeles Police Department responded to reports of a stabbing.
Upon arrival, they discovered Handy in the front yard with multiple stab wounds.
He was quickly transported to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Gledhill allegedly made chilling remarks during a 911 call made after the incident.
According to the complaint, he stated: “I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin.”
Before the murder charge can proceed, a judge has scheduled a mental competency hearing for June 22 in a Hollywood court to assess Gledhill’s ability to understand the court proceedings.
Despite the competency evaluation, prosecutors have officially charged Gledhill with murdering Handy “with malice aforethought,” under Penal Code section 187(a).
If found guilty, Gledhill faces a sentence of 26 years to life in state prison. Authorities are also seeking to set bail at $2.02 million.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman condemned the murder, stating, “This is not how anyone’s life should end, stabbed in the chest and left dying in the front yard of a home.” He added that Handy “deserved to live out his later years enjoying what he had worked so hard for and enjoying it with those he loved and cared about.”
The investigation is still ongoing.
