John Beam murder case on hold pending competency evaluation
Source of legally owned gun in Coach Beam's killing revealed
Court documents obtained by KTVU reveal the man charged with murdering Laney College athletic director John Beam filled out the necessary paperwork to get handgun from Castro Valley gun shop.
OAKLAND, Calif. - An Alameda County Superior Court judge has suspended the criminal case against the man charged in the shooting death of Laney College Athletic Director John Beam pending the results of psychological evaluations.
While the criminal proceedings against 27-year-old Cedric Irving are paused, the charges stick, and he will remain behind bars.
The judge joined Irving’s public defenders in expressing doubt regarding the defendant's mental competency. Irving is accused of killing the beloved coach, affectionately known to the community as "Coach Beam."
Details of the firearm purchase
Dig deeper:
Despite questions surrounding his mental health, Oakland police and sheriff’s officials claim that Irving’s actions prior to the shooting demonstrated a high degree of calculation.
Investigators say Irving legally obtained the .22-caliber Walther handgun used in the killing. According to court documents obtained by KTVU, Irving visited Elite Armory in Castro Valley on Oct. 15 to begin the legal transfer process.
John Beam killing: Suspect passed background check to buy gun used in shooting
New information has emerged about how the suspect charged with killing Laney College Athletic Director John Beam obtained the weapon used in the case.
The California Department of Justice conducted a background check on Irving, which he passed because he had no prior criminal history.
Authorities said that Irving waited the mandatory 10-day period before picking up the weapon on Nov. 4—just nine days before the shooting at Laney’s Field House.
Defendant says killing was justified
What they're saying:
Upon his arrest, Irving reportedly told police the killing was justified. He claimed Beam had been using "witchcraft" on him and was "haunting his dreams and messing with his body."
In court filings, an inspector for the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office wrote that Irving’s ability to navigate the firearm transaction process suggests "preplanning and competence."
Who is John Beam's alleged killer? Cedric Irving Jr. charged in coach's death
The Alameda County District Attorney on Monday charged a 27-year-old man following last week's shooting death of the legendary Laney College football coach, John Beam.
KTVU legal analyst Michael Cardoza said that Irving’s actions appeared more consistent with planning than instability.
"What he did in this case looks more like planning than mental chaos," Cardoza said. "Voodoo made me [do] it.’ I don't know a juror in Alameda County that's going to believe that story."
If the criminal case goes through, Cardoza said that it will ultimately be up to a jury to determine if Irving knew right from wrong, or if the claims of witchcraft were a "concocted" part of his plan.
The Source: Information for this story comes from a court hearing for Cedric Irving Jr., the suspect charged in the killing of John Beam, along with pervious reporting.