The murder case against Anila Baby, accused of killing two friends in San Jose and Milpitas on Aug. 28, is on hold while doctors evaluate whether she is mentally competent to stand trial. Judge Meghan Piano of Santa Clara County's mental health court suspended proceedings and appointed two doctors, indica News reported.
Why it matters: Under state law, a criminal case cannot move forward if a defendant cannot understand the proceedings or help with her defense.
What happened in court
Defense attorney Shawn M. George declared a doubt about his client's competency under Penal Code 1368. The district attorney's office did not oppose it, George told indica News.
"Based on my in-person conversations with my client, I have doubts as to my client's competency to stand trial," he said.
The charges
Baby, 32, faces two counts of first-degree murder and could face 50 years to life in prison if convicted, according to indica News.
Investigators allege she killed Ann Mary Mathew with a knife inside Mathew's Linda Vista Street home in San Jose. They say she later struck Anjana Hari, 35, with her Toyota Highlander in the parking lot of a Milpitas apartment complex, Hoodline reported.
Baby was arrested the same day in a Milpitas Walgreens parking lot.
What's next
The case returns to court Dec. 18 for the doctors' reports and findings.