A Los Angeles judge has approved a mental health diversion program for Didier Cohen, a former reality TV personality and DJ accused of brutally attacking his father and stepmother in their Malibu home. The decision means Cohen, 41, will avoid a criminal trial and potential prison sentence, provided he successfully completes a two-year outpatient rehabilitation program.
Cohen was arrested in June of the previous year, facing nine felony charges including burglary, elder abuse, kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon, assault likely to cause great bodily harm, and making criminal threats. Prosecutors alleged that the crimes involved significant violence and cruelty, stemming from an incident at his father's $4 million home. Cohen was accused of attacking his father with a bottle, assaulting his stepmother, and kidnapping both. He had also allegedly threatened their lives and vandalized his stepmother's car. Cohen pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Prosecutors urged the judge to send Cohen to trial, where he could have faced up to eight years in prison. However, Cohen's defense attorney successfully argued that his client suffers from a "mental disorder" and should be placed in a supervised mental health diversion program. The prosecution objected, citing the severity of the alleged injuries to the victims.
Following an examination by mental health experts, Judge Andrea Thompson ruled that Cohen was eligible and suitable for the diversion program. The judge noted that Cohen has been diagnosed with an eligible mental health disorder, that it was a significant factor in the alleged offenses, and that he would not pose an unreasonable risk to public safety if treated in the community. Cohen had already been residing in a residential treatment facility for eight months prior to this ruling.
Under the terms of the diversion, Cohen, who now goes by Meyer Love Moquin, must continue his treatment as an outpatient for the next two years. He is prohibited from owning dangerous weapons, using force or violence, harassing his father or stepmother, or using illegal drugs. He is also subject to random drug testing. Failure to comply with any of these conditions will result in his return to court to face the original charges, with the possibility of an eight-year prison sentence.
Cohen, who was previously accused of attacking his father with a glass bottle and assaulting his stepmother, had been released on $300,000 bail after spending five months in jail. The case notes that his father is supportive of the mental health diversion, though the stepmother's stance was not explicitly detailed. Cohen's home had previously been destroyed in wildfires.