Suspect in fatal Boise park beating deemed ‘dangerously mentally ill,’ unfit for trial
The suspect in a brutal October killing in Ann Morrison Park has been deemed “dangerously mentally ill” and will be committed to the Idaho Department of Correction before trial may proceed.
After a closed hearing on Wednesday, Ada County Magistrate Judge Daniel Steckel ordered that Andrew Ray Garcia be committed to IDOC’s custody for 90 days in an effort to restore his competency.
Garcia is accused of killing Roque Leon Arellano, 43, of Boise, by stomping or kicking him in the head. Arellano was found dead in the park the morning of Oct. 17. It’s still unclear how the victim and the suspect might have known each other.
Per Idaho law, a defendant must be able to understand court proceedings and assist in his own defense before adjudication may proceed.
The prosecution asked that Garcia be declared “dangerously mentally ill,” a determination that would mean he’s housed at the IDOC facility for restoration rather than at a state hospital.
State hospitals house patients who are civilly committed for mental illness, whereas IDOC houses people who are either criminally committed or who are determined too dangerous to be at the state hospital.
IDOC’s Secure Mental Health Facility, where Garcia could be housed until his competency is restored, is in its maximum security prison in Kuna. IDOC devotes nine beds in the facility to people who are either in need of competency restoration or civil commitment.
On Thursday, IDOC Chief Psychologist Walter Campbell said in an email that eight beds are occupied and another person was recently accepted into the program, so the facility is full.
“This means we will be assessing the needs of Mr. Garcia and the current residents in order to determine the greatest level of need,” Campbell said in an email. “Depending on the needs of all the individuals involved, we sometimes need to creatively find appropriate housing options or rearrange placement in order to accommodate different individuals’ ordered into the (Idaho Security Medical Program). In doing so, we actively work with Idaho Department of Health and Welfare to determine the most efficacious placement arrangements for all referrals into the ISMP.”
Garcia, who is homeless, faces charges on suspicion of second-degree murder, destruction of evidence and grand theft. The theft charge stems from stolen credit cards Garcia is accused of possessing, which are unrelated to the death of Arellano.
Garcia’s next court date is scheduled for Jan. 29 at 1:30 p.m.
This story was originally published December 12, 2019 at 11:39 AM.
