Bradenton man accused in stabbing ruled incompetent to stand trial, records show
A 21-year-old Bradenton man accused of stabbing his brother’s girlfriend in August has been declared incompetent to stand trial, according to court records.
Deputies with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office arrested Dakota Michael Hayes and charged him with attempted first-degree murder with a weapon and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after they say he attacked the woman inside the family’s Silver Lake neighborhood home near Jiggs Landing.
Court records show that in the weeks since, questions have been raised about whether Hayes is mentally fit to face the charges.
In an arrest report, the victim told deputies Hayes had repeatedly threatened to kill her and had been “obsessed with her for several years,” calling him a “complete psycho.” Deputies also said relatives described him as behaving erratically in the weeks leading up to the attack.
The day after his arrest, Hayes entered a not-guilty plea, and his defense attorney filed a motion raising concerns about his competency, records show. In the filing, the attorney wrote that conversations with Hayes “reveal an irrational thought process” and that he appeared to be suffering from “a state of mental and emotional disorganization” marked by “distortion of reality by delusions or bizarre notions.”
The motion also noted that Hayes had a history of mental health struggles. That filing led to a psychological evaluation and a competency hearing in September, according to court records.
Bradenton stabbing suspect ruled incompetent
At that hearing on Sept. 25, Circuit Judge Frederick Mercurio reviewed the evaluation and ruled Hayes incompetent to stand trial, according to court records. The order means Hayes cannot take part in hearings or a trial unless doctors determine he is competent.
In the order, Mercurio wrote that “there is substantial likelihood that in the near future the defendant will inflict serious bodily harm on himself or another person, as evidenced by recent behavior causing, attempting, or threatening such harm.”
Mercurio also signed an order committing Hayes to the Department of Children and Families for treatment, according to court records.
In it, he wrote that Hayes is “incapable of surviving alone or with the help of willing and responsible family or friends, including available alternative services.” Without treatment, the judge added, Hayes would likely neglect his own care in a way that poses “a real and present threat of substantial harm” to his well-being, according to court records.
As a result of the ruling, the case is effectively on hold. While court records list the case as closed, it could be reopened if Hayes’ competency is restored.
Florida law requires that a defendant understand the charges they face and be able to assist in their defense for a case to move forward. When someone is declared incompetent, proceedings pause while they undergo treatment and can only continue if doctors and the court find them competent again.
An attorney representing Hayes did not immediately respond to the Bradenton Herald’s request for comment.
Charges in violent stabbing attack
The charges stem from a violent incident on Aug. 12 at the family’s home in the 5200 block of 60th Drive East. Deputies wrote in an arrest report that Hayes threatened to kill his brother’s girlfriend the previous day after becoming upset about her washing a dish in the sink.
Relatives told deputies he had been having “episodes” in the weeks leading up to the attack, but he “has never been violent,” according to an arrest report.
The next morning, deputies said Hayes forced into the woman’s bedroom, punched her in the face and stabbed her repeatedly in the head, neck and abdomen. His brother, 24-year-old Willie Hayes, told investigators he heard his girlfriend scream and ran in to find the assault in progress.
According to arrest reports, Dakota then swung the knife at his brother, who wrestled with him before grabbing a gun and firing three shots, hitting him in the hip, buttocks and arm. Deputies said they gave the woman first aid until paramedics arrived. Both she and Dakota were taken to Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
Deputies wrote in an arrest report that the woman suffered at least 11 stab wounds in the head, neck and abdomen.
Deputies later wrote that the woman required part of her intestine to be removed because of stab wounds. A GoFundMe created by her sister says she also needed surgery for nerve damage in her face and has limited motion on the right side of her body due to spinal cord injuries.
Stabbing victim faces ‘very long’ recovery
As of Wednesday, the fundraiser had collected nearly $6,800 of its $7,500 goal. In an update posted Sept. 22, the organizer wrote that the woman, identified on the page as Bunny, had been released from a hospital rehab center and is now taking it easy and focusing on recovery, but “still has a very long way to go.”
According to the update, the woman continues to struggle with walking long distances, using her right hand and is experiencing residual paralysis in her face, but is undergoing physical therapy in an effort to improve.
“Everyday Bunny progresses with recovery and tries to keep her spirits high,” the organizer of the GoFundMe wrote.
The organizer added that Bunny is currently staying with a close mentor while searching for her own place to live.
Hayes remains listed as in custody at the Manatee County jail with no bond set, according to the sheriff’s office website.
Under Florida law, attempted first-degree murder is punishable by up to life in prison. Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon is a third-degree felony carrying a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
