During a hearing in Redwood City, two doctors testified that Indian-origin doctor Dharmesh Patel suffered from major depressive disorder and was undergoing a psychotic break when he drove his car off a cliff with his family inside in the US.
Patel, his wife Neha, and their children, aged 7 and 4 at the time, survived the ordeal. Prosecutors charged Patel with three counts of attempted murder in January last year after the incident at Devil’s Slide on Highway 1 near Half Moon Bay.
The hearing, held in response to Patel’s request for mental health diversion, might lead to him being placed on a two-year treatment plan instead of facing jail time.
If granted, Patel’s charges could be dropped provided he does not commit any further offenses during the treatment period.
According to reports, Patel experienced hallucinations during the incident, believing his children were victims of sex trafficking. The defence’s diagnosis, supported by Dr Mark Patterson and Dr James Armontrout, suggests Patel’s willingness to undergo treatment.
“I see him as someone who is very motivated and amenable to treatment,” psychologist Mark Patterson testified at the hearing.
However, prosecutors contest the proposed diversion, arguing that Patel’s condition may not align with the defence’s diagnosis. They expressed concerns about monitoring Patel’s medication adherence if he is released into the diversion programme.
The decision regarding Patel’s case remains pending, with the judge weighing the arguments from both sides.
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