Man declared unfit to stand trial for racially motivated attack on child in Bellingham

BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – The man accused of carrying out a racially motivated attack on a child in Bellingham has been declared incompetent to stand trial.

According to court documents, Paul Bittner, 42, underwent a competency evaluation by a licensed psychologist on July 25. The psychologist diagnosed Bittner with schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, and concluded that he was unable to defend himself.

The investigation revealed that he had previously been diagnosed with schizophrenia and had been prescribed antipsychotic medication in the past.

Bittner is accused of punching an 11-year-old black student in the face and making a racially motivated remark while he was on a field trip with Whatcom Middle School on June 12.

The boy suffered a broken tooth in his lower jaw and an injury to his nose as a result of the attack, which occurred right in front of the Bellingham Police Department.

Bittner, who is white, is charged with committing a hate crime and second-degree assault causing substantial injury. He pleaded not guilty to both counts on June 21.

The Whatcom County Jail inmate roster shows that Bittner has been transferred to Western State Hospital to begin his 90-day treatment before his competency to stand trial is reassessed.