Man Found Guilty, Sent to Mental Hospital

A jury convicted Carlos Reales Dominguez of involuntary manslaughter in the deaths of two individuals this week. The verdict followed a series of stabbings that occurred near the University of California, Davis, in 2023.

Despite the guilty verdict, Judge Samuel McAdam of Yolo County Superior Court ruled Dominguez legally insane at the time of the offenses. This decision means Dominguez, who is 23, will likely be committed to a state mental hospital for up to six years.

The stabbings, which left two people dead and another injured, caused significant fear in Davis, a city that had experienced no homicides in the preceding three years. Victims included David Breaux and UC Davis student Karim Abou Najm.

Dominguez's legal proceedings were complex, including a period where he was deemed unfit to stand trial due to mental health issues. His defense lawyer ultimately argued for the insanity defense, which was accepted by the court.

One victim's friend expressed that the outcome felt fair, acknowledging Dominguez's severe mental illness. She noted that the victim, David Breaux, had written a request for his family to forgive the perpetrator.