TRIGGER WARNING: This article contains gruesome details of murder and violence, which could be triggering for some readers.A few weeks ago, it was reported that James Handy from ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ had passed away after being stabbed in front of his home. The accused, his girlfriend’s son, Michael Gledhill, was found and arrested near the premises. As the investigation continues, new details have come to light, with the court ruling Gledhill not competent enough to go to trial.
Michael Gledhill reportedly unfit for trial of James Handy’s murder
PEOPLE reported that Michael Gledhill, who is the main accused in James Handy’s murder, has been ruled as not fit to stand trial by the court. Since the June 3 incident, Gledhill had been in custody, and a USD 2 million bail had been set for his release.A hearing was held on Monday; however, he was not present there, as per reports shared by his public defender. The documents revealed that he was “apparently declined transportation.” The trial was still held without him, and the judge later ruled that Michael is not fit for a trial, and approved medication for him in jail. A statement read, “he is not presently competent to stand trial. Psychotropic medication is granted and can be injected as the psychiatric sees fit.”On June 3, after receiving a 911 call, the actor was found by the LAPD in his front lawn in Tarzana, “unconscious and suffering from a stab wound to his chest.” The call that the authorities received is alleged to have been made by Gledhill, who said, “I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin” at the time.Wendy Gledhill, Michael’s mother and Handy’s girlfriend, later revealed that her son has been diagnosed with schizophrenia for years, and had been regularly taking medications to regulate his condition. However, the weeks before Handy’s murder, he had stopped taking his medications. In another California Post report, she had stated “I’m just trying to make it through one day at a time, a minute at a time.”
Wendy Gledhill about James Handy’s last moments before his passing
In another interview with the Daily Mail, Wendy had recited what the last moments of the actor’s life. She shared, “James had gotten up to get the newspaper at about 9 o’clock, but he didn’t make the coffee like he usually does. I just heard the door open because he was getting the paper.” She further added that the only way she knew something had happened was when the authorities showed up in front of the house at the time.DISCLAIMER: If you or someone you know is struggling with any form of abuse, please seek support. Reach out to a mental health specialist, an NGO, or a trusted individual. Numerous helplines are also available to help.