Written by City News Service. Posted by Peter Schelden.
A 17-year-old boy accused of attacking his father, a reserve Orange County sheriff's sergeant, was charged as an adult with attempted murder today.
John Edward Kudla also was charged with aggravated assault and unlawful taking of a vehicle and faces a sentencing enhancement for causing brain injury and paralysis.
Kudla's arraignment this afternoon was rescheduled for June 14.
The 50-year-old victim remained hospitalized in critical condition today, said Jim Amormino of the Orange County Sheriff's Department. He is in a coma following emergency surgery, according to prosecutors.
Investigators recovered a large construction hammer in the home that they suspect was the weapon used in the attack, Amormino said.
Investigators were working to acquire more details. Because investigators have not been able to speak with the victim they cannot confirm a motive, Amormino said.
The victim's mother found the reserve deputy suffering from a "severe head injury" in the 2100 block of Shadow Rock Lane in Trabuco Canyon about 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Amormino said.
About 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, Kudla allegedly took the hammer from the kitchen, which is being renovated, and slammed it over the slumbering victim's head multiple times, prosecutors said.
Kudla got dressed, had breakfast and told another family member that the sergeant was not feeling well and would have to remain bedridden for the day, prosecutors allege.
Kudla then allegedly took the victim's wallet and keys to his Volkswagen convertible and drove to school, where he met friends and later dropped them off at a McDonald's, according to the Orange County District Attorney's Office.
Investigators began looking for Kudla and issued a broadcast to regional law enforcement. A California Highway Patrol officer spotted the teen about 1 p.m. in a black convertible on the San Gabriel (605) Freeway at the Santa Ana (5) Freeway and followed him to East Los Angeles, where he was pulled over, Amormino said.
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