A judge expected to accept a plea by a Hillsborough man accused of
killing his friend instead questioned the man’s ability to stand trial
and suspended criminal proceedings.
Bradley Allen Kleiman, 30, was scheduled to enter a plea to
murder and firearms charges in the death of Christopher Calvache. Judge
Richard Livermore first asked Kleiman questions to ensure he knew his
rights and raised doubt about his competency. Kleiman returns to court
Tuesday for the appointment of two doctors who will determine if he
should stand trial or be sent to a state hospital for treatment.
Chief Deputy District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said the request is good because it gets that issue settled early.
Although Kleiman has not yet entered a plea, he has admitted shooting Christopher Calvache, 30, but called it self-defense.
Kleiman called 911 just after 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 15 to report
shooting Calvache in a pool house detached from a five-bedroom main
house on De Sabla Road where his parents live. Calvache and Kleiman
were the only ones on the property at the time. Kleiman said he shot
Calvache during a struggle after his friend pulled a gun on him.
Calvache was shot twice in the head and once in the buttocks,
according to prosecutors who also say the friends had planned to go to
dinner together before the altercation. When police arrived, they
reportedly found Kleiman carrying marijuana plants in the backyard and
a weapon and casings inside the pool house. Authorities have not
confirmed who owned the gun.
Kleiman was on parole at the time of the shooting for felony
driving under the influence causing injury and reckless evading a
police officer. He also had a narcotics possession charge in Santa
Barbara.
He remains in custody no-bail status.