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Larry Millete mental competency hearing pushed back to Sep. 26

All criminal proceedings were put on hold back in June, just weeks before Larry Millete’s preliminary hearing was supposed to begin.

SAN DIEGO — The Chula Vista man accused of murdering his wife, Maya Millete, appeared before a judge Monday afternoon for a mental competency hearing.

The hearing lasted less than five minutes.

"Forensic doctors have asked for a little bit more time," announced Judge Cindy Davis.

She said the doctors noted there's a lot of documentation involved in this case. Therefore, they asked for the matter to be continued. 

The hearing is now scheduled for September 26.

Maya Millete's sister and brother-in-law drove down from Riverside to attend the hearing.

"It's very frustrating," said Maricris Drouaillet, Maya's sister. "We wish it can be done sooner. It's been a year and a half since my sister has been missing. I wish this was all over now and we could get some closure."

"I wish there was more of an urgency," said her husband, Richard Drouaillet. "There's a family involved, there's kids involved."

Back in June, Larry Millete was ordered to undergo a mental evaluation by court appointed psychiatrists to determine if he is fit to stand trial.

Millete’s defense attorney Bonita Martinez tells CBS 8 being away from his kids has taken a toll on her client’s mental health.

What psychiatrists will determine is whether or not Millete understands the nature of the charges against him so that he can assist his attorney in his defense.

If they tell the court yes, he is fit to stand trial, the case picks up right where it left off.

If the psychiatrists say no, he is not fit to stand trial, then Millete would be sent to a state hospital where he would undergo professional help to restore his competency. The process can sometimes take months or years. 

“He could object to those findings and there could be a trial on the issue whatever the findings were” he said.” said legal expert Jan Ronis.

However, he said cases like that are rare. 

A family member said a team of trained volunteers continues to search for Maya on weekends, though the locations of those searches are no longer publicly posted on social media.

The hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. CBS 8 will have a crew in the courtroom who will let you know what happens.

WATCH RELATED: Murder case against Larry Millete on hold pending mental evaluation 

   

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