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Thread: Jon Christopher Blaylock Sentenced to LWOP in 2005 CA Slaying of CO Manuel Gonzalez

  1. #1
    Administrator Heidi's Avatar
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    Jon Christopher Blaylock Sentenced to LWOP in 2005 CA Slaying of CO Manuel Gonzalez



    CO Manuel Gonzalez




    Inmate accused of killing Chino guard set to start competency trial soon

    Lawyers are expected to begin jury selection Monday in the competency trial of Jon Christopher Blaylock, the inmate charged with killing a Chino prison guard in 2005.

    Opening statements could start as early as Wednesday in the Fontana Superior Court, officials said.

    Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Blaylock, 43, who is charged with murder and assault by a life prisoner in connection with the Jan. 10, 2005 fatal stabbing of corrections Officer Manuel Gonzalez.

    Gonzalez, of Whittier, was stabbed four times while on duty at the California Institution for Men in Chino.

    Blaylock was at the prison serving a life term for the attempted murder of a police officer in 2002.

    Investigators say guards had released Blaylock from his cell inside the prison's Sycamore Hall housing unit in an attempt to quell racial tensions when Gonzalez was attacked with a makeshift weapon.

    Blaylock, who has been described as a gang shot-caller with a long history of violence and mental problems, was charged about a month after the stabbing, but his case has moved slowly through the courts.

    http://www.dailybulletin.com/breakin...#ixzz29nh0LvRp
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  2. #2
    Administrator Heidi's Avatar
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    Mental competency trial begins for inmate in Chino prison guard's death

    A state prison inmate, whose mental competency trial began Wednesday in the 2005 killing of a Chino guard, believes his blood is special and that inmates serving life sentences are being experimented on, according to his lawyer.

    That was only part of the information defense attorney John Zitney presented to a jury Wednesday regarding his client, Jon Christopher Blaylock, in Fontana Superior Court.

    "He believes his blood has special powers he believes that Satan has entered his blood," Zitney said of Blaylock during his opening statements.

    "That's how insane that man is."

    The trial is being held for Blaylock to determine whether he possesses the legal mental competency to stand trial in the fatal stabbing of corrections Officer Manuel Gonzalez of Whittier. The guard was stabbed four times while on duty at the California Institution for Men in Chino.

    Blaylock was at the prison serving a life term for the attempted murder of a police officer in 2002.

    Investigators say guards had released Blaylock from his cell inside the prison's Sycamore Hall housing unit in an attempt to quell racial tensions. Gonzalez was attacked with a makeshift weapon.

    Blaylock was charged about a month after the stabbing, but his case has moved slowly through the courts.

    In a competency trial, the defense has the burden of proof.

    Zitney spent most of his time Wednesday painting Blaylock as a mentally disturbed man.

    In 1991 Blaylock was diagnosed HIV positive, but refused treatment, Zitney said. He also tried to commit suicide by chewing holes in his wrists that year.

    In 1999, Blaylock tried to hang himself.

    In 2000, he again expressed beliefs that his blood was special and that guards came into his cell at night to steal his blood and sell it, Zitney said.

    Blaylock has only been out of custody for less than a year since he was 19, his lawyer said. He is now 43.

    Several doctors have evaluated Blaylock over the years, according to Zitney, and "every doctor said he had mental issues."

    The defense lawyer added that Blaylock has an I.Q. Of 77.

    "He is not sharp enough to try and make a lie out of this for a long time," Zitney said.

    As he wrapped up his remarks, Zitney said he believes the case is going to be clear cut and that the evidence of his client's mental state is overwhelming.

    "Send him back (to prison) and get him the medical treatment he needs," Zitney said.

    Blaylock has been charged with murder and assault by a life prisoner in connection with the deadly stabbing of Gonzalez. If Blaylock is convicted, prosecutors will seek the death penalty.

    During her opening remarks Deputy District Attorney Carolyn Youngberg told the jurors she was going to present a balanced view of the defendant.

    She said Blaylock has been in a psychiatric facility for the past seven years, has had psychologists working with him and has been medicated.

    "He is receiving the help he needs," Youngberg said.

    Youngberg pointed out that in 2002, Blaylock was paroled from a robbery conviction and in that parole report officials said he did not, at that time, have a defined, severe mental disorder.

    He did have anti-social personality disorder, Youngberg said, which means he's choosing not to cooperate with authorities in previous cases.

    She accused Blaylock of deceiving others to support his personal gain and said he admitted to faking suicide attempts for purposes of getting his state prison housing changed.

    Youngberg told the jury that one doctor said Blaylock has the ability to cooperate when he wants to.

    "He is at a level to be tried," Youngberg concluded.

    The only witness Wednesday was Chuck Leed, a forensic and clinical psychologist who first evaluated Blaylock two years ago.

    During their conversations, Blaylock offered a "unique, delusional view of the world," Leed said, citing examples like he was a king of a foreign country and he was not understood at his level.

    "Neurologically, (Blaylock's delusions) will never go away," Leed said, adding that they are hard wired into his brain.

    Medication can work as a Band-aid, said Leed. But after a while that bandaid will come off and the delusions are going to pop back up.

    "I've never seen a study that shows otherwise," he said.

    If found competent, Blaylock will then face the guilt phase of the trial.

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  3. #3
    Administrator Heidi's Avatar
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    Mental competency trial wrapping up for prison inmate suspected in 2005 death of Chino guard

    Closing arguments are expected to begin Wednesday in the mental competency trial of a state prison inmate accused of killing a Chino guard in 2005.

    This portion of the trial started Oct. 24 in Fontana Superior Court. It is being held to determine whether Jon Christopher Blaylock possesses the legal mental competency to stand trial in the fatal stabbing of corrections Officer Manuel Gonzalez, of Whittier.

    The guard was stabbed four times while on duty at the California Institution for Men in Chino.

    Blaylock was at the prison serving a life term for the attempted murder of a police officer in 2002.

    Investigators say guards had released Blaylock from his cell inside the prison's Sycamore Hall housing unit in an attempt to quell racial tensions when Gonzalez was attacked with a makeshift weapon.

    Blaylock was charged about a month after the stabbing, but his case has moved slowly through the courts.

    Defense attorney John Zitney spent most of his time during the trial painting Blaylock as a mentally disturbed man who should be sent back to prison to get the medical treatment he needs.

    Blaylock has been charged with murder and assault by a life prisoner in connection with the deadly stabbing of Gonzalez. Deputy District Attorney Carolyn Youngberg is seeking the death penalty if Blaylock is convicted of the crime.

    Youngberg said the defendant has been in a psychiatric facility for the past several years and has been receiving help from psychologists and medication.

    During the trial she focused on a parole report from 2002 where officials said he did not, at that time, have a defined, severe mental disorder and said Blaylock deceived others for his personal gain.

    If found competent by the jury, Blaylock will then phase the guilt phase of the trial.

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  4. #4
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    Prison officer's suspected killer found to be mentally competent by jury

    Some doctors testified Jon Christopher Blaylock believes he's a member of Dutch royalty and that prison guards are out to kill him.

    Others said he's an inmate who has learned to manipulate the system, faking medical issues and causing court delays.

    Jurors decided Wednesday the latter explanation was closer to the truth.

    Blaylock was deemed mentally competent Wednesday and criminal proceedings were reinstated against him. He will stand trial for the Jan. 10, 2005 murder of Manuel Gonzalez, a correctional officer at California Institution for Men in Chino.

    The trial resumes Jan. 11.

    "Even on his best days, he can't get off his delusions about correctional officers," said Mario Martinez, one of Blaylock's two attorneys.

    Gonzalez, 44, of Whittier had allowed Blaylock out of his cell in an attempt to quell racial tensions inside the prison just before he was stabbed.

    Blaylock is charged with fatally stabbing Gonzalez four times. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

    The case has faced numerous delays through the years, in part because prosecutors improperly obtained Blaylock's confidential psychological records. Much of the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office was recused from the case as a result.

    Despite a ruling by Superior Court Judge Ingrid Uhler in 2007 that there was enough evidence to hold Blaylock over for trial, proceedings didn't begin until October.

    And in order for Blaylock to be found mentally competent enough to stand trial, jurors had to decide whether Blaylock understands the proceedings, can assist his defense attorneys in the case and grasps the consequences of the charges, among other issues.

    Martinez described Blaylock as a man whose delusions about correctional officers would hinder his ability to help in his own defense.

    "You're talking about someone who for the last 26 years has spent less than a year outside of prison," he said.

    Martinez acknowledged that Blaylock's mental issues - which include delusional disorder and anti-social personality disorder - wax and wane, giving him periods of lucidity. He also said that medications have helped his conditions.

    "But it doesn't cure the delusions. They're still there," Martinez said.

    Deputy District Attorney Carolyn Youngberg argued that Blaylock was competent enough to stand trial because he understands the charges he's facing, he knows the attorneys on both sides, and is aware that he could receive the death penalty.

    Youngberg said the doctors hired by the defense provided testimony that backs up arguments made by Blaylock's attorneys - but that came with a high price tag.

    One doctor, Youngberg said, earned more than $12,000 for his testimony, and the doctor only spent 45 minutes with the defendant.

    "Be critical of expert testimony," she said.

    Blaylock has not testified in his defense.

    Youngberg said he provided statements made by Blaylock to doctors that show he's able to make rational statements.

    While describing his reaction to several medications, Blaylock said, "I don't have anger flashes. I don't have depression or anxieties. I have good judgment and reasoning skills."

    She says that Blaylock is able to have a normal conversation when he wants to.

    "He has shown that when he doesn't get his way, he will manipulate people and the system," she said.

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  5. #5
    Administrator Moh's Avatar
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    On June 2, 2014, the trial court found Blaylock competent to stand trial and reinstated proceedings against him.

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    Moderator Bobsicles's Avatar
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    Per the CDCR, Blaylock received a second LWOP sentence in San Bernardino County at some point

    https://apps.cdcr.ca.gov/ciris/detai...rNumber=E54546
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