Criminal Proceedings Suspended Against Homeless Man Accused of Redwood City Murder

By Bay City News Service:

Criminal proceedings against a homeless man accused of beating another man to death in unincorporated Redwood City in June were suspended Friday to determine if the suspect is competent to stand trial, San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe says.

Paul Ahern, 53, is accused of beating Michael Gonzalez, 46, to death during a fight at about 8:15 p.m. on June 9 in the 3100 block of Middlefield Road. Ahern is charged with murder.

Witnesses told sheriff’s deputies that Ahern yelled repeatedly that he was going to kill Gonzalez, slammed his head against the ground, punched him in the head, slammed his head into a car and held him in a chokehold for 10 minutes, according to prosecutors.

When deputies arrived, Ahern was arrested standing three feet from Gonzalez, who was lying face-down on the sidewalk, prosecutors said.

Gonzalez was pronounced dead at the scene. Ahern was scheduled to enter a plea today, but criminal proceedings were suspended to determine whether he was mentally competent to stand trial, Wagstaffe said.

He will return to court Tuesday for doctors to be appointed.