The case of Clinton Calhoun become more complicated on Wednesday afternoon when the man was determined to be mentally incompetent to stand trial during his own mental competency trial. Calhoun, 31, grew increasingly erratic in his actions during the 1 p.m. court session to determine whether or not the Hanford resident was mentally fit to stand trial when he was found guilty of attempted rape and battery earlier this year.

During Wednesday's court proceedings, Calhoun grew increasingly jittery in his seat, nervously tapping his feet, sticking his tongue out and calling out to bailiffs for water. After more than an hour, Defense Attorney Donna Tartar interrupted the prosecution's cross examination to request a brief recess.

Bailiffs escorted the man out of the courtroom, where he was apparently examined by two clinicians scheduled to take the stand to discuss Calhoun's conditions. Both examiners, both for the prosecution and the defense, determined that Calhoun was not mentally fit to stand trial for the rest of the day, according to prosecutor Leanne LeMon.

Visiting Judge Edward M. Lacy Jr. granted a joint request from both sides for the matter to be postponed until a later date while Calhoun undergoes further treatment for his condition.

Prior to the court session being cut short, Dr. Estner Miles was called to the stand to testify about his May 4 evaluation of Calhoun. According to his testimony, Calhoun was found to be "paranoid" and "psychotic," with a frequent inability to "perceive reality correctly."

Because Calhoun is the son of Kings County District Attorney Ron Calhoun, the matter is being prosecuted by members of the California Attorney General's Office.

The case will resume on Sept. 26.

The reporter can be reached at 583-2425.

(Sept. 4, 2008)