A state appeals court panel Tuesday ordered a judge to vacate an order granting mental health diversion for a man accused of racially motivated attacks in Santa Monica in 2023.

The three-justice panel from California’s 2nd District Court of Appeal concluded in its 18-page ruling that “no substantial evidence supports the court’s implied finding” that Job Uriah Taylor was suitable for diversion, finding that the court’s grant of diversion was “thus an abuse of discretion.”

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office had opposed the bid for diversion for the 27-year-old defendant and filed a petition asking the appellate court to vacate Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Lana Kim’s order.

The appeals court panel noted in its ruling that the judge made no express finding that Ta

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