County judge orders former council member, Holly Blair, transferred to state hospital

Blair, who's been in the Kings County Jail since July, is being transferred to a state hospital due to her inability to stand trial.

The county’s district attorney’s office agreed with the decision. During Tuesday’s hearing, Kings County Assistant District Attorney Phil Esbenshade told the court that once she goes to trial, Blair could face up to 16 years in prison; six years for her first offense and 10 years for her second.

“That’s the maximum exposure,” said Esbenshade. “A judge might determine probation might be appropriate. Certainly, we (district attorney’s office) might have a say in that.”

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Blair will remain at a state hospital until she is found mentally capable to stand trial. Blair’s next court date is Nov. 13. She will be transferred from the Kings County Jail as soon as space is made available for her.

Her transfer is still up in the air. “We’re waiting for a spot,” said Esbenshade. “I imagine it will be within two weeks.” He told The Leader he assumes it could be Atascadero State Hospital. “They will find the most appropriate place, and it will be a state hospital, not a prison.”

Blair was found not mentally capable to stand trial by Edwards during a Sept. 25 hearing. A psychiatrist’s report concluded that the former council member is unable to assist her counsel with a defense, prompting the appointment of a community program director to decide whether Blair be placed as an outpatient or undergo inpatient mental health treatment.

Edwards stated that Blair’s mental health condition requires medication, and he ordered that the Kings County Jail require that she take medication. Esbenshade confirmed that a court order requires her to take medication. “Blair lacks the capacity to consent to medication,” he said.

Ultimately though it’s up to the hospital whether she receives the medication.

Kings County prosecutors say that the ultimate goal is to place her in a position so that she can stand trial. 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 face charges.

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 on 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.