Child killed with meat cleaver, dog killed
Newbury Park, CA (US)

Incident Date: Monday, Aug 13, 2007
County: Ventura

Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Convicted

Defendant/Suspect: Calvin Sharp

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

In new court documents, attorneys for the man accused of killing 6-year-old Sev'n Molina mention for the first time the possibility of a defense based on their client's mental state.

In a routine court filing last week concerning the continued sealing of search warrants in the case, Chief Deputy Public Defender Michael C. McMahon wrote that the sealed documents include opinions given by investigating officers concerning "potential mental defenses at trial."

Former taxicab driver Calvin Sharp, 28, is charged with killing Sev'n and nearly killing Sev'n's mother, Sandra Ruiz, 33, with a meat cleaver last August in Newbury Park.

Sharp also is accused of seriously injuring Ruiz's neighbor, Dianne Cox, 53, who intervened to end the attack. He also faces burglary charges and animal cruelty charges for allegedly killing a dog named Knuckles.

Sharp has yet to be arraigned in the potential death-penalty case, and his next court appearance is not scheduled until early May.

After the slaying, The Star asked that several documents, including search warrants and arrest reports in the case, be released to the public. Prosecutors and Sharp's defense attorney argued against the release.

His defense team argues the release could hurt his chances for a fair trial, while prosecutors have said it could interfere with the ongoing investigation and make it more difficult to find an impartial jury.

Ron Bamieh, an attorney representing The Star in the matter, has argued that except in certain narrowly defined situations, California law favors open access to court documents and case files.

Superior Court Judge Ken Riley decided late last year to release portions of two search warrants served in the case. His decision was quickly appealed by the Public Defender's Office, which is representing Sharp. No appellate hearing has yet been scheduled.

Case Updates

References

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