Jury to decide if Kori Muhammad is competent to stand trial

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The man accused of killing four people during a racist killing spree in Fresno is now headed for trial, but only on one issue.

Carl Williams, Zack Randalls, Mark Gassett, and David Jackson all died in April. Prosecutors said Kori Muhammad killed them all and they hired a psychiatrist who said he is mentally competent to defend himself in court.

But two court-appointed psychiatrists said he is not.

Muhammad defense attorney Richard Beshwate told us the suspect was diagnosed with Schizophrenia from the time he was a child. He has an outburst every time he appears in court, but not until his hearing is almost over and he's about to be removed.

"Certain individuals can certainly function at least in certain appearances until you begin to get past some superficial discussions and you begin to realize you're not discussing something rational with somebody. And that's the crux of the issue here is where he's at in his head."

A jury will have to decide whether he is competent.

Attorneys will set a date next month for trial on that issue.