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.