Crime & Safety
Hearing Set in Guaman Competency
A Worcester Superior Court judge has set a date for a hearing to determine the competency of Nicolas Guaman, who is accused in the death of Milford motorcyclist Matthew Denice.
A lengthy hearing to determine the mental competency of Nicolas Dutan Guaman will be Dec. 6 at Worcester Superior Court.
a 23-year-old who police say was struck and killed Aug. 20, 2011 as he rode his motorcycle on Congress Street.
Guaman, a citizen of Ecuador, is represented by two public defenders, including Peter Ettenberg, a Worcester criminal defense attorney who says his client is not mentally competent to stand trial.
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The hearing to determine the competency of Guaman will include testimony from two doctors who submitted competency reports. One, hired by the defense attorneys, says Guaman is not competent.
Another, appointed by the court, did not reach that conclusion.
Find out what's happening in Milfordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
According to an order from Superior Judge James Lemire, the definition of competency is: "whether he has sufficient present ability to consult with his lawyer with a reasonable degree of rational understanding — and whether he has a rational as well as factual understanding of the proceedings against him.'
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