The man accused of attacking and killing a 65-year-old woman at El Camino College in December 2023 is still undergoing medical appointments to see if he is eligible to stand trial.

Jeffery Davis, 43, is accused of fatally attacking Torrance resident Junko Hanafusa while she was walking her dog at El Camino College on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023.

Since the last court hearing in December 2025, Davis has been prolonging the process due to medical issues and uncooperative behavior while at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in downtown Los Angeles.

Davis appeared at the Torrance Courthouse on Wednesday, May 27, where defense attorney Murrey Aran Correa asked the judge, Kelly M. Kelley, to set another court date for Wednesday, July 22, due to the need for medical evaluations.

Kelley, issued a firm warning to resolve outstanding medical delays by July 22, or the case goes to a jury trial.

“I believe the delays have much to do with Jeffery Davis. I don’t think he should be rewarded for his behavior, which is resulting in this case going forever,” Deputy District Attorney Kelly Fritz said.

Fritz wants to find a solution to why there have been multiple pre-trial court hearings since the attack first took place.

During the court hearing on Wednesday, Fritz said that after two-and-a-half years into the case, they are still trying to appoint a doctor and finalize other details.

Once motions were finalized toward the end of the hearing, Davis agreed to his right to a speedy trial, meaning the case should be brought before the court within a reasonable time frame.

The court will set the next trial date, and bail will not be set.

Around five people who knew Hanafusa have been showing up to each court date over the last two years.

Four of her supporters showed up on Wednesday, including 71-year-old Renee Davis, the president and chief financial officer for Goldrich Kest Management (GKM).

Renee Davis shared that she worked alongside Hanafusa at GKM for over 40 years, where they shared decades of experience and friendship.

Hanafusa started at GKM in 1985 until her last days as a staff accounting manager. She worked around California to ensure affordable housing was accessible in different areas.

“She was a huge loss … she was well respected by many agencies. It was a big job,” Davis said.

Her friends, neighbors, and co-workers said Hanafusa was highly respected, not just at work, but around her neighborhood.

John Veselovsky, 63, who lived across the street from Hanafusa, said she was the first person he saw nearly every morning while walking her dog, Cherry. 

“I would say ‘Good morning, young lady,” Veselovsky said. “And she had this big ol’ smile on her face. We saw each other every day, it was like clockwork.”

Veselovsky has not missed a single hearing. 

“When you do something on a daily basis, you become a community just by seeing each other every day,” Richard Offord, a Torrance community member, said.

Offord didn’t know Hanafusa personally, but said they “exchanged smiles in the morning.” He has attended almost every hearing.

“They disappoint us once again,” Renee Davis said.

Gilbert Sanchez contributed to this story 

• Editor’s note: This story was updated Thursday, May 28 at 10:00 a.m. to fix a phrasing issue 
• Editor’s note: This story was updated Thursday, May 28 at 10:00 a.m. to add additional context