SUPERIOR Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho has granted the request of Chief Prosecutor Chester Hinds who wants Aimin Zhang to take his prescribed medicine to regain competency.
After hearing the arguments from the parties on Sept. 2, 2022, Judge Camacho granted the government’s motion to involuntarily medicate Zhang who is accused of stabbing another person in March 2022.
According to the judge’s order, “the administration of medication is likely to render the defendant competent to stand trial because in 2019, the defendant received the same medication that improved his mental condition.”
The judge said the side effects of the medication are weight gain and headaches, but it will not significantly interfere with the defendant’s ability to assist counsel in conducting a defense at trial.”
Judge Camacho said the treating facility, CHCC, through its doctors, shall administer the medication to restore the defendant’s competency.
“As not to micromanage how best to carry out administration of medication, the court finds and therefore orders that the treating doctors at CHCC have the training and experience to use their judgment on how to administer (oral, injection, amount of dosage, etc.) the medication,” the judge said.
He added that the doctors at the treating facility “shall make a report to the court as to the efforts of treatment and progress, if any, within 30 days of commencement of treatment.”
Zhang, who is represented by Assistant Public Defender Emily Thomsen, is accused of stabbing a person walking at the Paseo De Marianas in Garapan in March 2022.
The victim told police that prior to the incident, Zhang was sleeping on a nearby bench.
The victim said as he was passing the bench, Zhang suddenly woke up and began “acting crazy.”
The victim said Zhang “pulled out a knife from his bag and stabbed me for no reason.”
Zhang was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery, and disturbing the peace.
No other information about the defendant was available as of press time Sunday.
