04-21-2015, 10:10 AM
This is such a strange case.
![[Image: 4057521_G.jpg]](http://kusi.images.worldnow.com/images/4057521_G.jpg)
Since his arrest, it was revealed that, along with ballistics, DNA connected Mercado to the killings.
In September, he got a new attorney and was ordered to undergo psych evaluations because his attorney contended he was mentally incompetent to assist in his own defense.
In November, Judge Joseph P. Brannigan found Mercado not competent to stand trial and ordered he be treated at Patton State Hospital for three years or until he is found competent to assist in his own defense. Psychiatrists had diagnosed him as schizophrenic and severely depressed.
Search warrants released indicate that the SDPD strongly believed initially that more than one person carried out the slayings. The documents also note that police interviewed witnesses who met with Gianni Belvedere the day before the murders; one had sold him mariijuana and claimed the elder Belvedere brother bought about $100 worth a day. The other witness said she had sold him several Xanax tabs.
Whether police believed there was a possible drug-related motive is not clear, still. It's also not clear whether the accused knew the victims and whether police still suspect another person(s) was involved in the trip homicide. No motive of any kind has been presented.
I wonder if the psych stay is partly protective custody?
Sources:
Good timeline: http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Mi...z3Xx5DUMBz
http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/califo...91751.html
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/sep/...rder-case/
Since his arrest, it was revealed that, along with ballistics, DNA connected Mercado to the killings.
In September, he got a new attorney and was ordered to undergo psych evaluations because his attorney contended he was mentally incompetent to assist in his own defense.
In November, Judge Joseph P. Brannigan found Mercado not competent to stand trial and ordered he be treated at Patton State Hospital for three years or until he is found competent to assist in his own defense. Psychiatrists had diagnosed him as schizophrenic and severely depressed.
Search warrants released indicate that the SDPD strongly believed initially that more than one person carried out the slayings. The documents also note that police interviewed witnesses who met with Gianni Belvedere the day before the murders; one had sold him mariijuana and claimed the elder Belvedere brother bought about $100 worth a day. The other witness said she had sold him several Xanax tabs.
Whether police believed there was a possible drug-related motive is not clear, still. It's also not clear whether the accused knew the victims and whether police still suspect another person(s) was involved in the trip homicide. No motive of any kind has been presented.
I wonder if the psych stay is partly protective custody?
Sources:
Good timeline: http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Mi...z3Xx5DUMBz
http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/califo...91751.html
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/sep/...rder-case/