Acquaintances testify in Dominguez competency trial

By Lauren Keene McNaughton Media

WOODLAND — Testimony in the Carlos Reales Dominguez competency trial shifted Wednesday from friends’ observations of his mental decline to his time in custody at the Yolo County Jail.

Dominguez, 21, arrived at the Woodland jail on the morning of May 4, under arrest for the stabbing murders of two Davis men, David Henry Breaux and Karim Abou Najm, as well as the attempted murder of Kimberlee Guillory.

“Mr. Dominguez presented with bizarre posture — he was very rigid,” jail social worker Amy Gutierrez said under questioning from defense attorney Dan Hutchinson. “He also presented very flat, which means with no emotional response.”

Gutierrez noted that Dominguez answered questions, but was “guarded” and gave minimal, one- to twoword answers.

Hutchinson contends his client is mentally incompetent to stand trial, a claim that Yolo County prosecutors dispute, saying he’s “toying with the system.” A jury must now determine whether Dominguez is aware of the nature and purpose of the court proceedings, his status in them, and whether he can assist his attorney in preparing his defense in a rational manner.

With the defense carrying the burden of proving Dominguez’s incompetency, Hutchinson earlier this week called Dominguez’s friends and former roommates who testified about his shift from a shy, yet sociable college freshman who became increasingly thin, unkempt and reclusive over the next two years.

Hutchinson said medical professionals will testify Dominguez suffers from a psychotic disorder, likely schizophrenia, that requires hospitalization and treatment before he’s able to stand trial.

Like most first-time inmates facing serious charges, Dominguez initially was placed on suicide watch at the jail, even though he never expressed thoughts of anxiety, depression or self-harm. That status typically is lifted after an inmate meets with a mental-health professional.

But Dominguez remains on suicide watch nearly two months later because “he has shown an inability to care for himself” by refusing to eat or shower, express a safety plan or identify a reason for living, Gutierrez testified.

Eventually, Dominguez stopped communicating verbally at all. His continued decline became so concerning that Gutierrez said she sought his hospitalization on a 5150 hold, defined as being gravely disabled and a danger to himself or others due to mental illness.

‘Like I wasn’t alive’

Earlier Wednesday, the jury heard from Sidney Slesicki, who befriended Dominguez his freshman year over their shared interest in music. Dominguez moved into Slesicki’s room on Hawthorn Lane when Slesicki moved out last fall, but Slesicki continued to visit the house and

BeSmart educational program by Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund. Hackett explained further that “it’s all about bringing the community together and helping to keep our kids safe, especially… We want to make sure we can give information to our families.” remained friends with Dominguez.

After winter break ended early this year, Dominguez had “little to no interaction” with Slesicki or any of his roommates. At first, they thought the snubs stemmed from a confrontation that occurred the prior November, when Dominguez was late with his rent payment.

On later occasions, when Slesicki tried to greet him with “fist-bumps” while in passing, “he would just walk past me like I wasn’t alive,” he said, pausing with emotion. “This is just really tough for me.”

Slesicki said he last saw Dominguez on May 3, the day Davis police apprehended him. He recalled driving up to the Hawthorn Lane house as Dominguez walked out the front door and “he was staring out into dead space.” havior, Ask (about) unsecured guns in other homes, Recognize the role of guns in suicide, and Tell your peers to Be Smart,” the acronym for their organization.

Superintendent update tled to receive an additional increase that is equal to the overall percentage increase that was negotiated with the district.”

Chief business officer Jonathan Feagle presented trustees with a proposal to update Boonchuoy’s employment agreement.

Imagen de cortesía

Las imágenes de la cámara de una gasolinera capturaron el Toyota Sequoia dorado en el que los dos sospechosos dejaron un fuerte olor. El vehículo se describe como un modelo más antiguo con llantas cromadas del mercado de accesorios en las ruedas.

Continuado de la sociales de la Policia de Winters PD. Se produjeron robos similares en Dunnigan y Davis en el mismo período de tiempo. El Departamento de Policía de Winters está traba- jando con la Oficina del Alguacil del Condado Yolo (Yolo County Sheriff Office) y el Departamento de Policía de Davis (Davis Police Department) para confirmar si los robos estaban relacionados.

Cualquier persona que tenga información sobre este incidente debe comunicarse con la línea de información de la Policía de Winters por correo electrónico a tips.winters@winterspolice. org o por teléfono al 530-795-4561. Las personas que llaman pueden permanecer en el anonimato, según la publicación.

Hackett’s presentation stated that “firearms are the leading cause of death for children in the US” and explained that BeSmart encourages families to take a number of safety measures, including to “Secure all guns in our home and vehicle, Model responsible be-

“The current employment agreement,”

Feagle explained, “states that he’s entitled to an automatic 3 percent increase to his base salary if he receives a satisfactory annual performance evaluation; also the agreement states that the Superintendent is also directly enti-

With this, Feagle said “the district settlement with our teachers for 2023-24 was for a 6 percent increase, and as the board has confirmed, Dr. Boonchyoy’s (portion) of the 2022–23 evaluation has been completed and his performance rated as satisfactory.”

Trustees unanimously approved to increase the Superintendent’s annual base salary to a total of $207,100 as well as extending his employment by one year at least.

Wednesday, August 9

Winters Joint Unified School District First Day of School

Wednesdays

Eat Well Yolo Drive – Through Food Distribution Wednesdays, 3:30 p.m. As supplies last, Winters High student parking lot, off Railroad Avenue

Thursday, August 3

Winters JUSD Trustee Facility Master Plan Workshop No. 2, 4-6 p.m., School District Office Board Room

Winters Hispanic Advisory Committee 6:30 p.m., City Hall Large Conference Room (Abbey Street entrance)

Winters JUSD School Board Meeting, 6 p.m., School District Office, Zoom Meeting info, check https://bit.ly/ WintersJUSDBoardAgendaCommunitySite

Thursdays

Eat Well Yolo Food Distribution, first and third Thursdays, 10 a.m. As supplies last, RISE, Inc., 417 Haven St., 530-668-0690

Friday, August 4

WTC Presents "Much Ado About Nothing" Opening Night, 7 p.m., Winters Community Center, winterstheatre.org, 530-795-4014

Saturday, August 5

WTC Presents "Much Ado About Nothing," 7 p.m., Winters Community Center, winterstheatre.org, 530-795-4014

Monday, August 7

Winters High School PE & Music Building Grand Opening, 5 p.m., Winters High School

Upcoming

Friday, August 11

WTC Presents "Much Ado About Nothing," 7 p.m., Winters Community Center, winterstheatre.org, 530-795-4014

Saturday, August 12

WTC Presents "Much Ado About Nothing," 7 p.m., Winters Community Center, winterstheatre.org, 530-795-4014

Monday, August 14

Winters Climate Action Commission Meeting, 6:30 p.m., City Hall Large Conference Room (Abbey Street entrance), Check cityofwinters.org/climate-action-commission

Library Services

Winters Library Open to Public (No School in Session), Winters Community Library, Mon/Wed: 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Tue/Thu: 12–8 p.m., Fri/Sat: 1–5 p.m.

Teen Tuesday (ages 12-18), Second Tuesdays, 2 p.m., Winters Community Library

Bilingual Storytime (ages 0-5), Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m., Winters Community Library

Virtual English Conversation Group Tuesdays, 2-3 p.m., One time registration required: Contact Nancy Pacheco 530-666-8019 or nancy.pacheco@ yolocounty.org

Mangonada Monday (ages 6-12), fourth Monday, 3:30 p.m. Tech Thursdays, Thursdays, 2-7:30 p.m., call 530-6668005 to schedule an appointment. Bilingual sessions available upon request.

Saturday Matinee, First Saturday, 2 p.m., Winters Community Library

All You Need is Love Romance Book Club, Second Saturday, 4 p.m., Hooby’s Brewing

Older Adult Programs

Winters Senior Foundation Chair Yoga Class for Seniors, Wednesdays, 9:30-11 a.m., St. Anthony Parish Hall (511 W. Main St.)

Winters Senior Foundation Social Gathering, Thurdays, 1-3:30 p.m., St. Anthony Parish Hall (511 W. Main St.)

Ongoing

Winters Farmers Market, Sundays, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Main Street – downtown Winters, discoverwinters. com/farmers-market

Winters Friends of the Library meeting, first Monday, 7 p.m., Winters Community Library, Margaret Parsons Room, wfol.org

Rotary Club of Winters meeting, Thursdays, Noon, The Buckhorn

Winters Museum public hours Thursday thru Sunday, 1-5 p.m., 13 Russell St.

Winters Open Mic, third Saturday of the month, 6 p.m. (sign-ups begin at 5 p.m.), Downtown Main Street.

Kiwanis Club of Winters meeting, fourth Thursdays, 6 p.m., Hooby's Brewing

Democracy Winters meeting, third Saturdays, 10 a.m.Noon, Meeting details in newsletter, contact info@ democracywinters.org

Alcoholics Anonymous meetings:

» St. Anthony Parish Hall, 511 Main St. (back entrance) Tuesdays, 7-8 a.m. and Fridays, 7-8 a.m. » Yolo Housing office building, 62 Shams Way: Thursdays, 7-8 p.m. and Sundays, 9 a.m.