Murder suspect Tyrell Cooper ordered to state hospital

Jason Kotowski
·1 min read
19

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A man found incompetent to stand trial in the death of a 66-year-old man was ordered transferred to a state hospital during a hearing Tuesday in Superior Court.

Tyrell Cooper, 42, will receive treatment and be held at the facility for up to two years as efforts are made to restore him to competency, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

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Criminal proceedings against Cooper — who faced charges including first-degree murder — have been suspended.

Witnesses reported Cooper repeatedly pistol-whipped Clark inside a home on Clyde Street, north of East Brundage Lane and east of South King Street. They said Cooper also threatened to kill others in the home, according to court documents.

Cooper told police he’d heard second-hand about disparaging remarks Clark made about him, documents said. He acknowledged sometimes hearing voices when no one was there.

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