The suspect accused of repeatedly stabbing a biotech executive near the Westfield UTC in 2014 has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. Odie James Miller, Jr., now 22, has another psychiatric evaluation set for June 28 from jail. He returned from Patton State Hospital months ago after a judge and doctors determined he was mentally competent to stand trial. Deputy District Attorney Geoff Allard said Tuesday a trial date will be set on July 21 in San Diego Superior Court. The concept of insanity is separate from mental competency to stand trial. If a jury found he was insane at the time of the crime, he would be committed to a state mental hospital. Miller is accused of attempted murder and assault of the 44-year-old victim on Aug. 6, 2014. He was stabbed several dozen times at 12:15 p.m. in the vicinity of Renaissance Avenue and Towne Centre Drive. Miller did not know the victim, and so far, it appears to be a random attack.
Miller’s father said at the time his son has a mental illness and was off his medications at the time of the attack. The younger Miller was on probation at the time for carrying a knife around his family. Miller remains in the central jail on $550,000 bail.
– Neal Putnam