Fatal clocktower stabbing case suspended as suspect is deemed mentally unfit to stand trial

Criminal proceedings against Robert David Worel, the man charged in last month’s fatal stabbing at the clocktower plaza in downtown Santa Cruz, have been suspended. 

In a hearing Monday, Santa Cruz County Superior Court Judge Nancy de la Peña ruled that Worel is mentally incompetent to stand trial, following a court-ordered psychiatric evaluation by Gregory Katz.

The 32-year-old was arrested on March 21 for allegedly stabbing two people during the weekly Food Not Bombs meal distribution. According to eyewitnesses, Worel cut the food line, aggravating the person behind him. The interaction escalated into a fistfight, resulting in Worel pulling a knife, witnesses said. It is unclear which victim engaged in the fistfight that led to the stabbing.

As of April 8, Worel faces two felony charges from the incident and six enhancements split across the two charges. While he was initially booked into Santa Cruz County Jail on two counts of attempted murder, the district attorney’s office upgraded one of the charges to murder following the death of 42-year-old victim Justin Moore, who succumbed to his injuries after two weeks on life support. 

Monday’s ruling comes after the court raised concerns about Worel’s mental state on April 1. Under California law, criminal cases require an immediate pause for a psychiatric evaluation if the defendant is unable to participate in a criminal proceeding due to mental health concerns.

Worel remains in custody without bail while awaiting placement in a state mental health facility. Medical professionals contracted by the court will try to stabilize his mental health so that he can eventually return to court, though restoration of Worel’s mental competency is not guaranteed.

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