Mother Accused of Murdering Daughter Found Competent To Stand Trial
The trial of Aquelin Crystal Talamantes will continue now that a court-appointed psychologist has found her mentally competent to understand legal proceedings and to assist in her defense.
Talamantes, a 29-year-old resident of Davis, is accused of murder and assault on a child causing death in connection with the September 26th death of her 5-year-old daughter, Tatiana Garcia. Authorities believe that Tatiana was assaulted by her mother at Talamantes’ East Davis residence. Then, for reasons yet to be explained, the mother placed her daughter’s body in the trunk of her car and drove to a relative’s home in the Pocket area of Sacramento.
The relatives became concerned after Talamantes’ arrival and called police, who opened the car’s trunk and discovered Tatiana, who was still alive at that time, but comatose. Neighbors and police attempted to resuscitate Tatiana to no avail — the little girl died en route to the hospital.
Yolo Superior Court Judge David Reed had halted the trial last month after Talamantes’ attorney had requested the psychological evaluation which took place at the Yolo County Jail, where the accused murderer is being held without bail.
According to a report by the Davis Enterprise, Supervising Deputy Public Defender Sally Fredericksen, Talamantes’ attorney, said she was “appreciative of the efforts taken by the medical staff at the jail to stabilize my client on her medications.”
Prosecuting attorney Ryan Couzens said Reed’s decision “speaks for itself.”
Judge Reed set a January 10 preliminary hearing in the case.
Read more:
Daily Democrat: Davis woman competent to stand trial in daughter’s September murder
News10: Davis mom charged with drowning daughter to stand trial
The Davis Enterprise: Psychologist finds Davis mother competent for trial
