Driver accused of killing O.C. bicyclist had mental crisis, family says

In the a long time in advance of he was accused of functioning down and stabbing an Orange County bicyclist in a stunning, seemingly unprompted assault, Vanroy Evan Smith struggled with his mental health, according to his relatives and court information.

In a petition filed in Los Angeles County Exceptional Court in December searching for whole custody of their two children, Smith’s ex-spouse wrote that the 39-yr-aged was “diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and bi-polar problem.”

A relatives member, who spoke to The Situations on affliction of anonymity mainly because of fears for their protection, said the analysis arrived right after an incident in 2020 that drew law enforcement to Smith’s property in Very long Seashore. In that incident, Smith allegedly attacked his mate, who was trying to subdue him during a psychological wellness episode, according to the relative. Smith was hospitalized and unveiled just after a number of days.

“He’s attacking, not realizing that we’re attempting to assistance him,” the relative claimed.

In the baby custody papers, Smith’s ex-wife wrote that he “destroyed assets at his property in a violent mental health episode.”

On Dec. 19, 2020, Very long Beach front law enforcement officers have been called at about 12:12 p.m. to Smith’s property on the 6400 block of Atlantic Avenue right after acquiring reports of a “violent, mentally sick human being,” in accordance to a summary of the connect with acquired by The Situations.

“Upon arrival, officers contacted a male adult topic who was within a residence triggering house injury and was included in an altercation with an acquaintance,” in accordance to the summary.

Firefighters took Smith to a medical center, wherever he was positioned on a “5150 maintain,” indicating he was detained for 72 hrs soon after he was considered to be a risk to himself, or others, thanks to a mental overall health disorder.

Now, Smith is suspected of striking Dr. Michael John Mammone, 58, with his white Lexus on Feb. 1 while Mammone was driving his bicycle in Dana Point, Orange County sheriff’s officials explained. Smith then received out of the car and consistently stabbed Mammone with a knife, authorities claimed.

Mammone died at Providence Mission Clinic in Mission Viejo, the place he at times worked as an unexpected emergency area medical doctor, deputies said.

Smith was pinned down by bystanders, who had rushed to support Mammone just after the assault, in accordance to authorities. A knife, considered to have been utilized in the assault, was recovered at the scene.

Investigators are not knowledgeable of a link involving Smith and Mammone and are nevertheless making an attempt to ascertain what prompted the assault.

“An innocent person is lifeless for the reason that he took a bicycle experience to get pleasure from a gorgeous California working day together the beach front and he was hit with a car and stabbed to dying by someone he apparently hardly ever met,” Orange County Dist. Atty. Todd Spitzer said in a information launch last 7 days. “The murder of a complete stranger in wide daylight for what seems to be definitely no rationale is the things of nightmares.”

Dr. Michael John Mammone, 58, was killed past 7 days though using his bicycle in Dana Issue.

(OnScene.Television)

Smith pleaded not guilty Friday to a murder charge and a sentencing enhancement alleging own use of a fatal weapon, according to Orange County Exceptional Court docket information. Smith, who is mentioned as unemployed in jail data, is currently being held on $1-million bail.

If convicted, Smith faces a highest sentence of 25 years to daily life in prison.

Smith was born and lifted in Jamaica and moved to the U.S. close to 2008 soon after finding married, the spouse and children member reported. Soon after his divorce in 2012, he stayed in the Extended Beach location to support appear immediately after his children. Smith experienced his possess accounting company and lived by yourself.

Alexander Solhi, whose regulation business is in the exact same building as Smith’s accounting organization, stated Smith did his firm’s bookkeeping for at minimum two a long time. Smith attended two of the firm’s Christmas get-togethers and would at times go out to meal with Solhi, he reported.

“He was a pretty well mannered, awesome man,” Solhi explained. “He didn’t seem to be like a violent man whatsoever. There were being no unsafe propensities that would stick out. That’s why I was really stunned to see it was him undertaking that. Absolutely fully out of character.”

By late 2019 and early 2020, Solhi said, Smith appeared significantly strained.

“He looked quite pressured and not relaxed in his own pores and skin,” Sohli explained. “I couldn’t differentiate if it was perform-connected. He experienced two kids, but it seemed like it was pretty tranquil amongst him and his ex-spouse.”

Solhi last observed Smith about a yr ago, when Smith instructed him that he was vacating the building and was likely to function from property.

Smith’s relatives member who spoke to The Times said they hadn’t noticed Smith since around Thanksgiving. Two times before Mammone’s killing, the loved ones member stated, they attained out to Smith by text to examine in.

“I reported, ‘Is there something we can do? We want to assist you,’ ” the relative explained. “He was very tranquil and said, ‘No, I’m Alright. I’ll permit you men know if I will need assistance.’ That was it.”

The family members is devastated about what took place.

“The human being who he was is gone,” Smith’s family members member explained. “There’s no coming back again from this situation.”

Good friends and loved ones of Mammone, meanwhile, have struggled with the reduction of their loved a single and are even now hunting for answers.

Dr. William Dodge became shut buddies with Mammone though the two worked in the emergency department at Providence Mission Medical center in Laguna Seaside.

Mammone coated the night shifts and earned a standing as a degree-headed, thorough and kind health practitioner.

“He experienced the track record of currently being a pleasant person, a neat male who would bend more than backwards for his individuals and go the more mile,” Dodge reported.

“The whole Mission Clinic family is grieving about the loss of an outstanding medical doctor and good friend,” reps for the healthcare facility wrote in a assertion very last 7 days. “We will honor Dr. Mammone’s dedication to our local community and passion for medicine.”