The San Fernando Valley man accused of murder in the shooting of a College of the Canyons student was ordered Thursday to undergo a second mental health evaluation as part of his defense claim.
Grigor Hovsepyan, 23, of Granada Hills, has pleaded not guilty in the shooting murder of Gavin Unzueta.
In August, after Hovsepyan challenged his mental competency to assist in his own defense, his case was transferred to the Mental Health Division in Hollywood, in compliance with state law, according to court records.
A defendant will typically undergo an evaluation by at least two doctors before a judge makes a determination.
On Thursday, Judge Ronald Kaye vacated the appointment of Hovsepyan’s first appointed doctor and named a second one, who’s due to give a report on the status of Hovsepyan’s ability to assist in his own defense by Dec. 4.
The doctor was ordered to evaluate Hovsepyan at Pitchess Detention Facility, where he’s being held without bail, according to the minute order.
The L.A. County District Attorney’s Office indicated in July it wouldn’t seek the death penalty for Hovsepyan.
During Hovsepyan’s preliminary hearing, the prosecution sought to paint the shooting as a retaliatory murder, according to the court transcripts.
Unzueta’s friends testified that they were throwing eggs at cars from a lookout point in the San Fernando Valley when they hit Hovsepyan‘s car.
Hovsepyan’s response, according to their testimony in the transcript, was to chase them down and fire several shots at their car. Unzueta was fatally struck by gunfire while in the backseat of the car.
Murder suspect still undergoing evaluation
