Kings County judge rules Blair mentally incapable of standing trial and will likely get treatment

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Blair could also remain in jail while she receives treatment.

Blair’s next court date is scheduled for 8:15 a.m. on Oct. 29 in Dept. 90 of the Kings County Superior Court.

On Wednesday, Kings County Superior Court Judge Randy Edwards announced in court that Blair is not mentally capable of participating in a trial. A psychiatrist’s report concluded that Blair is unable to assist her counsel with a defense, prompting the decision to have a community program director decide whether the former councilmember will be placed as an outpatient or undergo inpatient mental health treatment.

He also said that Blair’s mental health condition requires medication, and he ordered that the Kings County Jail require that she takes the medication.

“She goes to the community program director to train her and rehabilitate her,” said Kings County District Attorney Keith Fagundes. The ultimate goal is to place her in a position so that she can stand trial, he said. The state’s community program director role is a function of the state, and he or she will make a recommendation to the presiding judge.

Felony defendants found incompetent by a court are sometimes placed in a state hospital where the focus of treatment is to stabilize their condition and establish trial competency, so they can return to court and adjudicate their pending charges.

A defendant may also remain in jail while she receives treatment. “That’s the best place for the victims and the best place for her,” said Fagundes. There is also the remote possibility that a judge, based on the program director’s report, may dismiss everything and send her home. “There’s no good reason it should be dismissed,” cautioned Kings County’s top attorney.

 “The program director will make a recommendation and the court will make the order,” said Fagundes. “It’s an evolving case. We’re looking forward to what the best approach is.”

Blair, who was removed from her Lemoore City Council seat recently due to non-attendance, faces a number of charges stemming from a pair of incidents in the last few months. Her latest incident occurred July 6 when she was charged with spousal battery and felony criminal threats. According to Lemoore police reports, on July 6 at about 2 p.m., police responded to Blair’s home and arrested her for threats and domestic violence and committing a felony while out on bail. Bail was set at $85,000.

She was originally arrested on June 5 on suspicion of evading a peace officer, assault with a deadly weapon, reckless driving, child endangerment, and resisting arrest. The charges stemmed from an afternoon incident during a ceremony in the Lemoore Police Department’s back lot when Blair pulled into the lot at a high rate of speed, drove to the end of the lot, turned around and raced back.

She was stopped on West Cinnamon and North Lemoore Avenue and arrested.