Man accused in La Quinta attack ruled mentally competent

A man charged with attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer in La Quinta was ruled mentally competent to stand trial Monday.

The attack led to a deputy-involved shooting.

Christopher Curci, 24, of La Quinta, is accused of attacking two 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.

In March, a defense motion for a mental health evaluation was granted by Judge Burke Strunksy over the objection of prosecutors, court records show.

On Monday, Judge Emily Benjamini reviewed the case and found that “the defendant does not meet the criteria for mental health court,” allowing the case to move toward trial, according to court records. Curci is expected in court for a felony settlement conference on May 20.

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 in lieu of $1 million bail at the Larry D. Smith Correctional facility in Banning.