Man is insane and not guilty

A Chula Vista man has been found not guilty by reason of insanity in the 2010 carjacking and robbery of two women who lost their car at gunpoint.

Two psychologists and a psychiatrist examined Fred Eugene Hiser, 44, and turned in evaluations to a judge that said he was insane at the time of the July 5, 2010, incident in Chula Vista at 5:52 p.m.

A woman and her mother were walking near the intersection of F Street and Lagoon Drive when Hiser approached them with a gun. He demanded car keys which the woman gave him, and he got into their vehicle and drove away.

The women were not hurt.

Deputy District Attorney Matthew Dix said Hiser will be committed to a state mental hospital. San Diego Superior Court Judge Eugenia Eyherabide set a commitment hearing for Sept. 5.

Dix said the two court appointed psychologists both agreed that Hiser was insane when he committed the crimes, so the District Attorney’s Office hired an independent psychiatrist, who agreed with the psychologists.
Hiser could spend the rest of his life in a state mental hospital. It will be up to him to prove he has regained his sanity and he will have to petition a judge to have a hearing if he wants his sanity to be legally restored.

Hiser is also charged with elder abuse — one victim was over 70 — auto theft, evading police with reckless driving, assault upon two officers, assault with a deadly weapon and resisting arrest.

He remains in the central jail without bail.