The retrial of Carlos Dominguez, the man accused of being the Davis stabber, continued in Woodland, where prosecutors are once again seeking to hold him responsible for a deadly series of attacks. The case has drawn close attention since the killings first shook the Davis community.
Dominguez is being tried on second-degree murder and attempted murder charges. The retrial comes after his initial trial ended in a mistrial, when the jury was unable to reach a verdict in the case.
The former UC Davis student is accused of going on a fatal stabbing spree in 2023 that left two people dead and one other person injured. The attacks unfolded over a short period and spread fear across the college town.
Central to the proceedings is Dominguez's mental state at the time. The defense argues that he was suffering from schizophrenia when the attacks took place, an argument that has been a major thread through the case.
On this day of the retrial, the jury heard from a psychiatrist who has been meeting with Dominguez since his arrest. The psychiatrist testified that the former student showed clear signs of the mental illness.
The defense is also challenging the evidence itself. The police reports surrounding his arrest and interrogations have come under question, with the defense trying to make the case that they are unreliable.
The retrial is expected to continue as both sides present their arguments. Once again, a jury will be asked to weigh the killings, the attempted murder charge and the questions surrounding Dominguez's mental health.