Court Watching: Judge Green orders independent expert to examine Candice Diaz

Candice Renea Diaz of Sumpter Township, who is charged with torturing and killing her four-year-old daughter on New Year’s Day, will be examined yet again by an independent expert to see if she is competent to stand trial and has criminal responsibility.
Diaz has been in the Wayne County Jail since she and her boyfriend, Brad Edward Fields, 28, were apprehended in Georgia as they tried to flee from the law after the medical examiner ruled her daughter’s death a homicide.
On May 30, Diaz, 25, was set for her probable cause conference before 34th District Court Chief Judge Tina Brooks Green. Judge Green said three reports came back and the legal action can proceed.
But, her court-appointed attorney asked Judge Green to order an independent examiner to make a determination whether Diaz is capable of standing trial.
The attorney said under the law if pschological tests made by the state are not in favor of the defendant, the defense attorney can ask for an independent expert.
The attorney said he requested Dr. Firoza Van Horn as the expert and Diaz can be interviewed in the Wayne County Jail.
The Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor on the case said she was not asking the judge to deny the defense attorney’s request, but to set a date when the case can continue. She said they have been waiting for the reports to come back and now they are here. She said the co-defendant has already been bound over to circuit court.
Judge Green said she would sign an order for an independent examination, but not set a date because you can’t know when an expert can work it into their schedule.
Judge Green said the criminal responsibility report arrived May 14, the competency report on May 3 and “today is May 30.”
“We’re not dragging our heels,” she said as she agreed to sign for an independent expert.
Diaz, who is in jail with bond denied, is charged with felony murder, second-degree murder, first degree child abuse, and torture in the death of her four-year-old daughter. She faces life in prison.
Fields is facing the same charges and was found competent to stand trial on May 11. He has a final conference set July 6 before Circuit Court Judge Vonda Evans and a jury trial set Aug. 6 before Judge Evans. Fields also is in the Wayne County Jail without bond.
Keegan Maguire Delaney
Keegan Maguire Delaney, 18, was due for his probable cause conference on two counts of armed robbery in Van Buren Township on April 9. His preliminary exam was set for June 20. He is free on $10,000 personal recognizance bond. His retained attorney is Steve Schwartz.
Delaney was the only adult in the threesome that is accused of stealing a cell phone at gun point from children who were playing in the park at a mobile home park.
James Anderson Coleman
James Anderson Coleman, 72, was due for his probable cause conference before Judge Green and his preliminary exam will be held June 6 in front of Judge David Parrott. He is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and domestic violence in Sumpter Township on May 16. He is free on $1,000 personal recognizance bond.
Michael Lepine
Michael Lepine, 31, had his probable cause conference adjourned until July 11. He is facing two charges of carrying a concealed weapon, one charge of operating while intoxicated-2nd, and one charge of failure to report accident to fixtures in VBT on Sept. 24. He is free on $10,000 personal recognizance bond.
Victor Jefferson
Victor Jefferson, 59, waived his preliminary exam on a charge of larceny of more than $1,000 but less than $20,000 (attempt to conspire) in VBT on March 11. He is free after posting $20,000/10% bond. Richard Glanda is his court-appointed attorney. He is due at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice in Detroit on June 13 for an arraignment on the information.