A Kern County Superior Court Judge has granted Bakersfield activist Riddhi Patel a mental health diversion.
Patel will return to court next month for a status hearing and a progress report on the diversion.
The backstory: Patel made national headlines two years ago when she made threats to the Bakersfield City Council.
- Bakersfield police arrested Patel during the council meeting on April 10, 2024, after making her threats when urging the council to support a cease-fire resolution for the Israel-Hamas war at the time.
- “I hope one day somebody brings the guillotine and kills all of you motherf___ers,” Patel told the council.
- She addressed the council another time later in the meeting when the council was discussing adding certain security measures – such as metal detectors – to city buildings.
- “Regardless of whether you elect people into office, they’ll backstab you,” Patel said. “They’ll let you die. And for that reason – you guys want to criminalize us with metal detectors, we’ll see you at your house. We’ll murder you.”
Flashback: Prosecutors charged Patel with making criminal threats against city and public officials. Patel pleaded not guilty.
- She was released from jail after posting bail of $500,000 and was fired from her job at The Center on Race, Poverty, and the Environment.
The big picture: Last week, Kern County Judge John Brownlee granted Patel a mental health diversion.
- The diversion allows Patel to enter a mental health treatment program. All charges will be dropped against her if she completes the program.
- Patel had previously undergone mental health exams last November and in January.
What we’re watching: Patel’s next court appearance is scheduled for March 6.
