Bryan Chang, 29, is charged in the Jan. 25, 2010 death of Sherry Chu Chang at her Solana Beach home.

Her body was found at the home on Santa Florencia, near San Elijo Lagoon, after she failed to show up for work and a co-worker asked deputies to check the house. Her son was arrested at his home in Los Angeles two nights later.

During an earlier proceeding, Deputy District Attorney Rachel Solov said that the defendant cut off his mother's right arm and part of her skull and put them in a refrigerator.

According to Solov, the two may have had a disagreement over money, and it was bloody fingerprints found on blinds in the home that led authorities to the defendant.

Detectives said claw hammers may have been used in the killing.

Criminal proceedings will be suspended until the defendant is found to be mentally competent to stand trial.

Bryan Chang would face 26 years to life in prison if convicted, according to the prosecution.