Man accused of killing actor James Handy unfit for trial. What we know
The man accused of stabbing and killing 81-year-old actor James Handy is not fit to stand trial, a judge has ruled.
A Los Angeles judge ruled during a hearing Monday, June 22, that Michael Gledhill, the 44-year-old son of Handy's girlfriend Wendy Gledhill, is not mentally competent for criminal proceedings. The court found Gledhill is unable to understand the case against him or help his lawyer in his defense.
In a statement to USA TODAY, the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office assured the ruling is "not a determination of guilt or innocence."
Gledhill's next court appearance is a placement recommendation hearing on July 14, per online court records viewed by USA TODAY. During the hearing, the court will determine where he will be housed and receive mental health treatment to restore his competency for criminal proceedings to move forward.
"While the allegations in this matter remain extremely serious, the legal process must continue in a manner that is both just and consistent with constitutional protections," public defenders Donna Tryfman and Robert Krauss wrote in a statement. "Nothing about the court's finding regarding competency diminishes the seriousness of the loss or the pain experienced by those who knew and loved Mr. Handy."
USA TODAY has reached out to the Los Angeles County District Attorney for comment.
James Handy death: 'Top Gun' died after stabbing
On Wednesday, June 3, the Los Angeles Police Department received a call to the home where Michael Gledhill lived with his mom around 9:30 a.m., during which the caller reportedly confessed, "I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin," according to a release.
When authorities arrived at the scene, they said they found Handy – known for appearances in "Arachnophobia," "Jumanji" and "Top Gun: Maverick" – "unconscious and suffering from a stab wound to his chest" in the front yard of the residence. The actor was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
On Friday, June 12, the Los Angeles Medical Examiner's office confirmed the actor died from a stab wound to the torso and neck compression, meaning external force was applied to the neck, leading to a lack of oxygen.
Michael Gledhill arrested on suspicion of murder
Gledhill reportedly flagged down police near the scene shortly after Handy's death and told them he was the suspect they were looking for. He was then arrested and charged with one count of murder. His bail was set at $2 million.
Wendy Gledhill, Handy's partner and the mother of Michael Gledhill, reportedly told TMZ that her son was diagnosed with schizophrenia and had stopped taking his medications the week before Handy died. She also shared a message for Handy's family.
"They know I loved him so much. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry this happened. I'm still in shock. I still can't comprehend it," she said, according to the outlet.
In addition to "Top Gun," which marked Handy's final on-screen credit, he is also known for his roles in the original 1995 "Jumanji" as an exterminator, 2017's "Logan" as a doctor and 2000's M. Night Shyamalan-directed Bruce Willis film "Unbreakable" as a priest.
He landed roles on television as well, appearing as Lou Handleman in the ABC crime drama "Profiler" from 1997 to 1998, and later in three seasons of the J. J. Abrams thriller "Alias" from 2002 to 2006, playing CIA Director Arthur Devlinnd.
More recently, in 2022, Handy produced and starred in the drama "Street to Table."