Jennifer Aniston’s alleged stalker found mentally incompetent
Jennifer Aniston arrives at a screening of “The Morning Show” during PaleyFest on Friday, April 12, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
HOLLYWOOD (CNS) – A Mississippi man accused of ramming his vehicle into the front gate of actress Jennifer Aniston’s Bel Air home was found mentally incompetent Thursday to stand trial on stalking and vandalism charges.
‘ Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Maria Cavalluzzi said she reviewed reports from two psychiatrists who examined Jimmy Wayne Carwyle, saying that the court found that the 48-year-old man is not currently competent to allow the criminal case against him to proceed.
Deputy Public Defender Robert Krauss told the judge that it was not the outcome his client would have preferred.
Last week, a second psychiatrist was appointed to examine Carwyle at the defendant’s request agreed with the initial psychiatrist’s assessment that the defendant is “not currently competent,” the defense attorney said.
The judge said criminal proceedings will remain suspended against Carwyle, who appeared at the Hollywood courthouse with a new haircut.
Carwyle is due back in court June 26 for a hearing to determine where he should be placed. His attorney also asked for the psychiatrist who initially examined Carwyle to prepare a report to determine if he is eligible for a mental health diversion program.
The judge noted that she would also allow an attorney representing Aniston to speak at the next hearing. Carwyle is charged with one felony count each of stalking and vandalism, along with an aggravating circumstance of the threat of great bodily harm.
At a May 8 hearing, Deputy Public Defender Toral Malik entered a not guilty plea on behalf of her client, but questioned his mental competency. Judge Keith L. Schwartz suspended criminal proceedings against Carwyle pending the mental competency evaluation and ordered him “not to have any contact with Jennifer Aniston” and to “stay 100 yards away from her residence.”
Carwyle was arrested May 5 by officers from the Los Angeles Police Department’s West Los Angeles station after private security guards helped detain him outside Aniston’s home in the 900 block of Airole Way.
Prosecutors said he crashed into the front gate of the home, “causing substantial damage.”
Carwyle has allegedly been harassing Aniston since March 2023 by “sending her unwanted social media, voicemail and email messages,” according to the District Attorney’s Office.
Carwyle allegedly made multiple social media posts referencing the actress, with some of them referring to her as his wife.
“Stalking is a crime that can quickly escalate from harassment to dangerous, violent actions, threatening the safety of victims and our communities,” District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in a statement. “My office is committed to aggressively prosecuting those who stalk and terrorize others, ensuring they are held accountable.”
Carwyle has remained behind bars since his arrest.
He faces up to three years in prison if he is convicted as charged, according to prosecutors. (CNS)
