State revokes license of psychiatrist Williams Ayres; charged with sex crimes involving children

October 30, 2012

On October 24, 2012, the Medical Board of California revoked the license of psychiatrist William Ayres.

Ayres was arrested in April 2007 on charges of lewd and lascivious conduct upon a child under age 14 years.

His trial commenced in July 2009 and ended in a mistrial.

Retrial was scheduled for April 2010.

In March 2010, Ayres’ counsel filed a request to inquire into Ayres’ competency to stand trial. The jury in that matter informed the court on June 17, 2011 that it was hopelessly deadlocked and unable to reach a verdict as to competence.

The court ordered Ayres to evaluation and treatment. He was admitted to Napa State Hospital on October 25, 2011. A February 2012 report from the hospital confirmed a diagnosis of dementia.

(A Napa Hospital psychologist later reported that Ayres faked having symptoms of dementia. News items reported that Ayres had been seen in public carrying on socially with friends and family without any signs of dementia.)

Source: Stipulation to Surrender and Revocation of License and Order in the Matter of the Accusation Against William H. Ayres, Physician and Surgeons Certificate No. G 8452, M.D., Case No. 03-2007-182874, Medical Board of California, Department of Consumer Affairs.