July 29, 2008 — A Lassen County Superior Court judge continued a hearing on the mental competence of a former correctional officer charged with attempted murder, assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury, spousal abuse, a great bodily injury enhancement and battery. The court had expected to receive a report on the mental competence of the defendant, Steven Lewis Barnett on Tuesday, July 22, but the psychologist assigned to the case was unable to make a determination about Barnett’s ability to aid in his own defense because the defendant didn’t want to talk with him.

Barnett’s Chico attorney, Stephen King, said the letter from the doctor to the court “didn’t address the issues that need to be addressed.”

Lassen County Superior Court Judge Stephen Bradbury asked Barnett why he didn’t talk to Dr. Kent Caruso, of Redding, when the doctor visited him in June.

Barnett told the judge, “I’m not sure I can trust Dr. Caruso.”

“I’m not asking you to trust him,” Bradbury said. “I’m asking you to talk to him. Will you talk to him?”

“I’ll talk to him,” Barnett said.

Barnett committed the alleged offenses against his wife and his 17-year-old daughter during an incident in the family’s home on the evening of March 3.

Near the end of the hearing, Barnett asked Bradbury to release him on his own recognizance, but the judge refused.

Then Barnett asked Bradbury to lower his $500,000 bail, but the judge refused that request as well.

Barnett told Bradbury he has ties to the community and is not a flight risk, but Bradbury said the alleged crimes are very serious, and he would neither release the defendant nor lower his bail.

The court suspended the criminal proceeding until it receives Caruso’s report.

During a preliminary hearing on Thursday, April 3, Barnett’s wife, Dawn, testified Barnett tried to kill her several times during the attack. Barnett also allegedly assaulted his 17-year-old daughter during the incident.

During the preliminary hearing, King told the court his client was struggling with mental health issues.