Community Corner
Cowart's Mental Competence Still Being Reviewed
68-year-old Rohnert Park man, accused of the hit-and-run incident that took the life of SSU's Steve Norwick, to be examined by second doctor.
The Rohnert Park man charged with who died 11 days later will be examined by a second doctor to determine if he is mentally competent to participate in his defense.
Sonoma County Superior Court Judge Julie Conger on July 13 against 68-year-old to allow for the examinations.
Judge Gary Medvigy on Friday morning, July 20, ordered a second psychological exam. A hearing on the doctor's report is scheduled for Aug. 24. Criminal proceedings against Cowart remain suspended.
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Cowart is charged with felony hit-and-run. The Sonoma County District Attorney's Office is still investigating the June 8 collision between Cowart's Dodge truck and bicyclist on Petaluma Hill Road in Penngrove, Deputy District Attorney Troye Shaffer said. The California Highway Patrol said Norwick was struck from behind.
The Sonoma State University environmental studies professor, who retired in May, was in a coma until .
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Prosecutors said an amended complaint that reflects Norwick's death could be filed against Cowart while criminal proceedings are suspended, but there could not be an arraignment or other court hearings.
During a previous court hearing, defense attorney George Boisseau said Cowart recently suffered a stroke, has an aneurysm in his neck and is hard of hearing.
Video from a surveillance camera at a business in Penngrove showed a Dodge truck driving south through Penngrove shortly after the collision, the CHP said.
CHP Officer Robert Powers was off duty and working in front of his house when Cowart's Dodge truck arrived home around 4:30 p.m., the CHP said. The truck was damaged in the front right-hand side and the right side mirror was missing, CHP Officer Jon Sloat said. Sloat said that a right side mirror from a Dodge truck was collected earlier at the collision site.
Powers and a Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety sergeant contacted Cowart who admitted he was involved in a collision with a bicyclist earlier in the day, Sloat said.
Cowart told the law enforcement officers he didn't believe the bicyclist was injured and he left the scene, Sloat said. after he was questioned at CHP headquarters in Rohnert Park.
-- Bay City News Service
