UPDATE: Threatening Phone Caller Judged Mentally Incompetent

Update: March 15

John Costa, 64, was found not competent to stand trial after the court received a mental evaluation report from UCSF doctors.

The case has been continued to April 25 when the court will receive a treatment report from doctors. Costa remains in custody on $7,500 bail.

-------------------------

Update: Feb. 8

The court suspended criminal proceedings against Costa, and referred the case to UCSF doctors for evaluation. The case is continued to Feb. 28.

-------------

John Costa, a 64-year-old mentally ill San Bruno man, faces four misdemeanor charges after making several threatening phone calls to San Bruno and Millbrae officials, organizations and attorneys.

In November, he told the San Bruno city clerk over the phone that he would kill all council members and the police, and contacted St. Dunstan Church claiming the priest had killed his mother.

Costa also called several Millbrae lawyers, up to 60 times in one weekend, threatening to execute them for colluding with President Barack Obama and the secret service, according to San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe.

After Costa was arrested, he said his threats were not serious and he just meant to scare the victims, according to Wagstaffe.

The case was set for 9 a.m. Monday in South San Francisco Misdemeanor Court, and Costa remains in custody on $7,500 bail.