Buzzard Scheduled For Competency Evaluation Findings As Case Reaches One-Year Mark

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) - Ashlee Buzzard appeared in Department 7 of Santa Barbara Superior Court in Santa Maria this morning.

Buzzard was arrested in December and faces first-degree murder charges for the death of her 9-year-old daughter Melodee last year.

Melodee was first reported missing after a prolonged school absence in October of last year, and her body was found in December.

Buzzard’s preliminary hearing was paused last month after her defense attorney Erica Sutherland declared a doubt about Buzzard’s mental competency.

Though the competency hearing was scheduled for today, a visiting judge rescheduled the return of formal evaluation reports.

If Buzzard is found competent, the hearing and subsequent trial would resume.

If two psychologists agree Buzzard does not possess the mental capacity to stand trial, she will be committed to a state hospital for treatment, the goal of which is to restore trial competency.

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