Oakland – All proceedings in the hearing of Cedric Irving Jr. for the murder of former Laney College Athletic Director, John Beam, have been suspended pending an evaluation of Irving’s “mental competency,” an Alameda County judge determined Wednesday morning.
While the defense for the former Laney College student would not disclose sensitive information about her client in the public hearing, Alameda County public defender Sydney Bird Levin expressed “doubt of [Irving’s] competency to proceed to trial,” regarding his mental state.
Unlike an insanity plea, which would argue that Irving did not understand right from wrong at the time of the shooting, a mental competency test would involve the assessment and evaluation of a criminal defendant’s ability to comprehend and participate in the decisions regarding their own defense. The results will not apply to or reference Irving’s mental health at the time of the murder.
A mental competency test will be conducted on Irving by two licensed mental health specialists and the findings are expected to be presented in a public hearing on Feb. 27., as ordered by Alameda County judge, Thomas M. Reardon.
Under the California Rules of Court, the trial remains suspended “and may not be reinstated until the defendant is found mentally competent at a trial.”
If Irving is found incompetent, he could be sent to a state hospital until he “regains competency” enough to stand trial. If the doctors, Irving’s defense, or the district attorneys disagree with the outcome, they can challenge the matter to proceed in trial.
Levin requested a private recess at Wednesday’s hearing with Reardon and Assistant District Attorney, Danielle London, to pursue the assessment. Reardon deemed the evidence was substantial enough to warrant an evaluation.
According to London, Irving has not received a mental evaluation prior to Wednesday’s court order. She said the District Attorney’s Office does not share the doubt of Irving’s mental competency because “he doesn’t have a history of mental illness, as far as we know.”
While Irving previously wore a “modesty garment” or “anti-suicide smock” in court, he appeared on Wednesday in orange scrubs. Reardon did not permit any media to photograph the proceeding.
Beam was reportedly shot at the Laney Fieldhouse, late in the morning of Nov. 13, 2025, and transferred to Highland Hospital by emergency services in critical condition. Beam died the following morning at the age of 66.
According to public records, Irving was arrested at 4:01 a.m. at the San Leandro BART station and was later booked at the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin at 2:08 p.m. He is currently being held without bail in the Behavioral Health housing unit.
Irving faces 50 years to life in prison for murder and seven additional sentence enhancements, including the “use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.”
The results of Irving’s evaluation will be presented at Irving’s next hearing on Feb. 27 at the René C. Davidson Courthouse at 1225 Fallon Street in Oakland.
