A judge granted a two-year mental health diversion program to a Los Angeles man facing felony charges of fleeing from California Highway Patrol officers and taking a car without the owner’s consent.
An attorney for Ian Kianduma Karune, 20, of Los Angeles, filed a motion March 11 to seek a mental-health diversion for her client, which resulted in the prosecution asking for more time to respond.
Less than two weeks later, prosecutors in the San Fernando branch of the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office had worked out a deal, according to a March 23 minute order for Karune’s case.
Both allegations, “joyriding” and a reckless-evasion charge, were found eligible.
“The defendant consents to pretrial diversion and waives their right to a speedy trial,” according to court records. “The defendant, having met all of the necessary criteria set forth in Penal Code section 1001.36(b), the court finds that the defendant is eligible and suitable for Mental Health Diversion.”
The penal section Judge Kevin Rosenberg referenced in his order indicates a defendant is eligible for such a program if the person meets two criteria: if the defendant has been diagnosed with a mental disorder as identified in the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM; and the condition played a significant factor in the commission of the crime.
As a result, the defendant was ordered to attend a three- to six-month residential drug-treatment program, as well as comply with all terms of the program. The defendant is ordered to make progress toward his GED.
There also was restitution ordered, an amount to be determined at a later date, as well as a ban from possessing burglary tools.
As a result of Karune’s plea, his charges are placed on a two-year diversion, and he’s due back in court in March 2028 to confirm his compliance. His first progress report is set for later this month.
Officers with the CHP Newhall-area Office began pursuing Karune on Sept. 16, after spotting him driving northbound on State Route 14 in a GMC truck reported stolen.
Antelope Valley officers joined in the chase when the pursuit hit their jurisdiction, and the Newhall-area Office coordinated a deployment of spike strips, according to Officer Carlos Burgos Lopez, spokesman for the office.
Burgos Lopez said the spike strips flattened a tire, but Karune did not stop driving, and ultimately fled his vehicle on foot.
The original criminal complaint filed by prosecutors also stated Karune “has suffered prior convictions as an adult and sustained petitions in juvenile delinquency proceedings that are numerous and of increasing seriousness, within the meaning of California Rules of Court Rule.”
