Suspect In Senior's Death Competent To Stand Trial: Judge

INDIO, CA — A man suspected of inflicting fatal injuries on a 77-year-old woman at a Palm Desert apartment is mentally competent to stand trial, a judge ruled Monday.

Ryan Alkana, 32, is charged with murder with a sentencing enhancement allegation of using a weapon during a felony, court records show. He is being held without bail at the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside.

The mental competency hearing was originally scheduled for April, but was pushed back three times before Riverside County Superior Court Judge Harold Hopp ruled that Alkana is fit to assist his defense counsel during trial.

Palm Desert police responded to a call reporting "unknown trouble" in the 74000 block of Candlewood Street at 5:19 p.m. on Jan. 31 and found the assault victim suffering from serious injuries.

Mary Louise Brown was in a coma before dying on Feb. 19 at Desert Regional Medical Center.

Alkana was initially booked on suspicion of attempted murder. Following the victim's death, the charge was amended to murder.

The defendant appears to have only one past charge on his record in Riverside County -- for speeding, according to court records.

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--City News Service