Man accused of hate crimes in Chico committed to state mental hospital

CHICO, Calif. — A Chico man accused of committed a series of hate crimes in Chico last year was ordered to be housed at a locked state mental hospital until he is mentally competent to stand trial, the district attorney's office announced.

District Attorney Mike Ramsey said 37-year-old Thomas David Bona still faces charges related to the burning and defacing of a sign at a local synagogue and an indigenous mural in Chico. If found mentally competent to stand trial, and is convicted of all counts and allegations on his current cases, Ramsey said Bona could receive up to nine years in prison.

Back in November 2022, Ramsey said the public defender doubted Bona's ability to understand the proceedings and he was evaluated by a court-appointed psychologist. Based on that report, the judge found Bona incompetent to stand trial and suspended criminal proceedings.

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Ramsey says the primary goal of Bona's commitment is to treat and help him understand the legal proceedings against him and allow him to assist his lawyer in his defense.