A judge suspended criminal proceedings late last month against a man suspected of killing a beloved 88-year-old veterinarian at the Boulevard Animal Clinic in Rolando because his attorney said he may not understand court proceedings.

Clark Kelly suffered a head wound during a burglary at his small business and died in a hospital on June 15. The cause of death has not yet been disclosed by the County medical examiner’s office.

Longtime clients have left flowers and notes around his office in the 7000 block of El Cajon Boulevard. Many people have had dogs and cats treated by Kelly over 30 years. Kelly had been a veterinarian for 62 years.

San Diego Police said Kelly apparently discovered the break-in into his office and was injured by the burglar, who has been identified as Patrick O’Brien, 37, who was homeless at the time. A concerned citizen discovered Kelly’s injuries and held O’Brien for police.

“I’m declaring a doubt about his mental competency, PC(penal code section) 1368,” said attorney Spencer Scott to the judge when the case was called on June 29.

San Diego Superior Court Judge Ken So suspended criminal proceedings as required by law and said O’Brien will be interviewed by a psychiatrist in jail on Aug. 3. An evaluation will be given to another judge in an Aug. 25 hearing.

If O’Brien is found mentally fit to understand court proceedings, they will resume and a preliminary hearing will be set. If not, he will be sent to a state mental hospital for treatment until he regains his mental competency. Competency is a separate issue from sanity.

Kelly himself called 911 at 3:29 p.m. on June 15, saying there was a burglary-in-progress. When police arrived, they found Kelly injured and a concerned citizen holding O’Brien. Kelly was rushed to a hospital, where he died at 4:53 p.m., police said.

O’Brien remains at the George Bailey Detention Facility without bail.

– Neal Putnam is a local court reporter.