The attorney for a man charged with animal cruelty has raised a doubt to his client’s ability to defend himself, according to L.A. County Superior Court records available online.
Adam Michael Buckley, a 34-year-old man identified as a transient from Van Nuys, was arrested after Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station deputies responded to a report of a man who was “disturbing the turtles” in a pond at the Valencia Town Center, according to station officials.
Security footage posted to social media showed the suspect slamming one of the turtles into the ground, in an area known as The Patios, an outdoor shopping area that houses cafes, restaurants and fashion boutiques and connects to the indoor mall.
Deputy Mariela Picard, a spokeswoman for the SCV Sheriff’s Station, said the following day that one of the turtles injured in the incident died from its injuries after it was transferred to the custody of L.A. County Animal Care and Control.
Judge Gregg Marcus ordered the case to be heard in the Hollywood Courthouse, which hears mental health cases. A Dec. 10 court date was set for the matter.
He also ordered a mental evaluation for Buckley from a court-approved clinician or doctor.
The L.A. County District Attorney’s Office charged Buckley with an eight-count indictment that included animal cruelty, resisting arrest, and six counts of petty theft with multiple prior incidents listed.
His allegations cite three prior convictions for petty theft or shoplifting.
Buckley remains in custody in lieu of $150,000 bail until his next court date.
