The man charged with murdering a rookie Sacramento police officer made his first appearance in court on Monday afternoon. Police Chief Daniel Hahn was among those in the gallery.
What appeared to be a gauze bandage was covering a portion of Adel Ramos' forehead. Sacramento Count Jail officials say he was treated on Sunday self-inflicted injuries sustained when he repeatedly banged his head on a bed rail in his cell. A Sacramento County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman said Ramos was transferred to the psychiatric ward at the jail and has been on a 24 hour watch to ensure doesn't do any more harm to himself.
Ramos stood silently in the courtroom holding cell for the most part during the five-minute hearing. He only uttered the words, "yes, sir," when asked by the judge if the court had his correct name. He was also appointed a public defender, Diane Howard, who declined comment on the case afterwards.
Sacramento County Assistant Chief Deputy District Attorney Rod Norgaard did speak with reporters outside the courtroom. He said the ongoing investigation may lead to modifications in the charges against Ramos.
The 45-year-old Ramos is facing a murder charge with the enhancement that he ambushed 26-year-old Officer Tara O'Sullivan and her training officer during a domestic dispute call at a Sacramento home. Following O'Sullivan's shooting there was an hours-long standoff with police during which an unknown number of shots were fired back and forth. The murder charges could result in the death the death penalty for Ramos.
"We have an internal policy that dictates the procedure by which seek the death penalty, which includes input from his counsel if they so choose, and that decision will be made down the road a ways," said Norgaard.
Ramos is also facing charges for allegedly attempting to kill O'Sullivan's training officer and possessing two illegal rifles.