The prosecution and defense will make their opening statements today in the trial of a man who allegedly shot his friend in Millbrae three and a half years ago.
Teyseer Zaid Najdawi, 28, entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity on Oct. 21 for the 2008 murder of his friend in Millbrae.
Najdawi is accused of shooting his friend multiple times in the head as they were driving home from a night of drinking in San Francisco, according to San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe.
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Although he is deemed competent for trial, the jury will need to consider his mental state in 2008 to acquit him – whether he was unaware of his actions because he was insane, or if he deliberately murdered his friend.
Najdawi’s mental competency has been a recurring issue throughout the case.
Find out what's happening in Millbraewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
After attacking his cellmate for no apparent reason in county jail, court-appointed doctors deemed him not competent to stand trial. Najdawi was committed to the California Department of Mental Health in 2009 and placed at Napa State Hospital, and after a year, doctors said he was fit to stand trial.
After returning from Napa, he recently fired his lawyer and wanted to represent himself. After further psychiatric evaluation, his request was denied.
The jury trial has been in recess since Dec. 14, and will resume today at 9 a.m.
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