Trial of California Murder Suspect Suspended
Defense attorneys have declared a doubt regarding the mental competency of 80-year-old defendant James Gary.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Crime — General
The trial of James Gary, an 80-year-old accused in two decades-old homicides, has been suspended indefinitely. Defense counsel declared a doubt regarding his mental competency, halting proceedings while the defendant undergoes psychiatric evaluations.
Why it matters
The suspension ensures that the legal process adheres to requirements that a defendant must be mentally capable of understanding charges and assisting in their own defense. Evaluations are now required to determine if he can proceed to a jury trial for the deaths of Latrelle Lindsay and Winifred Douglas.
James Gary is currently held at Santa Rita Jail while awaiting trial for the 1980 and 1996 murders. The court has appointed four alienists to evaluate his competency, a process that could result in a transfer to a state hospital.
The players
James Gary
He is an 80-year-old defendant and former deacon at the Olive Branch Missionary Baptist Church currently incarcerated at Santa Rita Jail.
Latrelle Lindsay
She was a 46-year-old victim murdered in Union City in 1980.
Winifred Douglas
She was a 46-year-old victim murdered in 1996 after being picked up in Berkeley.
The details
James Gary, a former deacon at the Olive Branch Missionary Baptist Church, was identified as a suspect after his DNA was collected during a breathalyzer test. He faces charges for the 1980 murder of 46-year-old Latrelle Lindsay and the 1996 murder of 46-year-old Winifred Douglas.
Timeline
Latrelle Lindsay was murdered in July 1980.
Winifred Douglas was murdered in 1996.
James Gary turned 80 years old in June 2026.
A formal doubt regarding competency was declared on July 13, 2026.
Proceedings were suspended indefinitely in October 2026.
Legal Context
The suspension of court proceedings aligns with the established procedural requirements for assessing competency to stand trial under the standard set by Dusky v. United States. This legal pivot reflects the necessity for the justice system to ensure a defendant can actively participate in their defense.
The indefinite suspension of this trial delays resolution for the families of victims who have waited decades for legal accountability. Residents of the affected communities should note that the case remains active within the justice system rather than concluded.
The takeaway
The case highlights the enduring nature of cold cases as modern DNA techniques allow authorities to link suspects to crimes committed decades ago. It also underscores that legal trials remain subject to change whenever a defendant's ability to participate becomes a point of contention.
Further reading
Learn more about local legal proceedings on the California Crime — General page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Vacaville Reporter.
