A man facing charges for the murder of a California sheriff’s deputy is accused of feigning mental incompetence to evade the death penalty.

Jesse Ceazar Navarro, 45, has been charged with the murder of 30-year-old Deputy Darnell Calhoun and shooting a firearm from a vehicle with intent to kill. Given the gravity of the crime involving a peace officer, the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office has declared Navarro eligible for the death penalty, according to an official statement.

Prosecutors allege that Navarro is orchestrating a calculated attempt to avoid taking responsibility for his actions. Deputy District Attorney Marcus Garrett, in his opening remarks, accused Navarro of manipulating the justice system, asserting that the suspect is capable of multitasking and retaining information.

Garrett bolstered his argument by referencing a forensic psychologist’s assessment. She concluded that Navarro is competent to stand trial, a detail reported by City News Service. Furthermore, Garrett highlighted a jailhouse conversation between Navarro and his wife, where Navarro purportedly mentioned, “Everything is going according to our plan,” suggesting a premeditated effort to mislead the court.

Conversely, Navarro’s defense claims that he suffers from mental impairments, possibly due to bullet fragments lodged in his head, affecting his communication abilities. Last year, the case judge determined there was sufficient reason to hold a mental competency trial, as reported by local media.

The defense, on the other hand, has argued that Navarro has mental deficiencies affecting his communication, possibly due to “bullet fragments” in his head. According to the regional outlet, the judge overseeing the case ruled last year that there were grounds to proceed with a mental competency trial.

The shooting itself occurred on Jan. 13, 2023, at a home on the 18500 block of Hilldale Lane in Lake Elsinore, California. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office was called about an instance of domestic violence, and Calhoun was the first deputy to arrive.

“Moments after” the officer arrived, Navarro fired multiple shots at him, “striking Calhoun several times,” authorities said. Navarro also allegedly shot at another deputy “who came to Calhoun’s aid.”

The suspect was eventually shot, detained, and transported to an area hospital.

Calhoun was also rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

“Deputy Calhoun showed incredible courage during a terrifying situation that unfolded in a matter of seconds,” Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin said later that year. “His dedication to the community culminated in a ruthless attack by Navarro that also put the lives of many others at extreme peril.”

Per California law, if Navarro is found to be mentally incompetent to stand trial, he will likely be assigned to “restoration treatment” — or placed in a hospital for treatment.

Calhoun is remembered as having been a “devoted husband” and a “loving father,” according to the sheriff’s office. “Darnell’s life was tragically cut short, but those who were blessed enough to be loved, mentored, and protected by him understood that the quality of his existence far exceeds the quantity of time they had with him.”