Man arrested for attempted murder in rock attack to be mentally evaluated

Against the objects of the prosecution, a judge agreed to review a request for a mental health evaluation for a man charged with attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer.

Christopher Curci, 24, of La Quinta is accused of attacking two unidentified men with a rock at a La Quinta home in the 77300 block of Avenida Montezuma on Jan. 16. He then allegedly assaulted two sheriff’s deputies, also with a rock, and was shot by one of the lawmen, leaving the suspect hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries, according to Sgt. Chris Willison.

Authorities did not disclose where or how many times Curci was shot.

ORIGINAL STORY: Man shot by deputy in La Quinta charged with attempted murder of peace officer

Curci had been scheduled for a felony settlement conference today, but a defense motion for a mental health evaluation was granted by Judge Burke Strunksy, who scheduled an April 8 hearing. The prosecution opposed the motion, court records show.

In addition to the attempted murder and assault charges, Curci faces two counts of burglary and one count of making criminal threats, for allegedly threatening a third man.

A connection, if any, between Curci and the victims was not disclosed by investigators.

Curci is being held on $1 million bail at the Larry D. Smith Correctional facility in Banning.