Criminal proceedings were suspended after a doubt was declared Thursday about the mental competency of a man who allegedly stabbed his 7-year-old brother at the family’s home in Whittier.
Cristian Gutierrez, who turned 25 Thursday, is charged with attempted murder involving the alleged attack May 9 on his brother at their home in the 9500 block of Ben Hur Avenue, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
The charge includes allegations that he inflicted great bodily injury and used a knife during the crime, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
Sheriff’s officials said the boy was taken to a hospital in critical condition. There was no immediate word on his current condition.
Gutierrez was arrested early the next morning by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and has remained behind bars since then in lieu of $1.075 million bail, according to jail records.
Gutierrez could face life in prison if he is found mentally competent to stand trial and is convicted as charged.