The man who fatally stabbed James Handy, a longtime actor who has appeared in films like “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Jumanji,” is not competent to stand trial, a judge has ruled.
Michael Gledhill — the 44-year-old son of Handy’s girlfriend, Wendy Gledhill — was charged with murder after the actor was found fatally stabbed outside a home in Tarzana, Calif. earlier this month. He has been behind bars ever since, and he “apparently declined transportation” from jail to a scheduled court hearing on Monday, public defenders told Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Maria Cavalluzzi.
Despite his lack of presence, Cavalluzzi ruled that Gledhill was unfit to stand trial, concluding that he does not understand the case against him and cannot rationally assist his lawyer in his own defense. She additionally signed an order allowing for Gledhill to be involuntarily medicated for one year, citing the fact that he is unable to make proper medication decisions for himself.
Officers with the Los Angeles Police Department responded the morning of June 3 to a residence in the 19200 block of Erwin Street after receiving a disturbing 911 call, apparently from Gledhill.
“I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin,” he said, per police.
When they arrived on the scene around 9:30 a.m., authorities found Handy in the front yard, unconscious and suffering a stab wound to the chest. He was then rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later. He was 81 years old.
Police said Gledhill flagged them down as they arrived on the scene, and he was immediately taken into custody.
In wake of the deadly violence, Gledhill’s mother revealed that he had recently been struggling with mental health issues, and that he was diagnosed with schizophrenia in July 2025. She said she learned he had stopped taking his medication about a week before Handy was killed.
Gledhill’s next court hearing is slated for July 14. He has not entered any plea.
With News Wire Services