LANCASTER – Criminal proceedings were suspended Tuesday after doubt was declared about the mental competency of a man accused of killing an 82-year-old fellow patient who was praying when he was clubbed in the head with an oxygen tank at a Lancaster hospital, where both men were being treated for COVID-19.
Jesse Martinez, 37, of Lancaster, was charged Dec. 21 with on one count each of murder and elder or dependent adult abuse resulting in death, along with a hate crime allegation.
The attack occurred about 9:45 a.m. Dec. 17, 2020, at Antelope Valley Hospital, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, which reported that the two men did not know each other prior to being admitted to the medical center.
“(The victim) was housed in a two-person room inside the hospital with the suspect, who was also there receiving treatment,” according to a sheriff’s department statement. “The suspect became upset when the victim started to pray. He then struck the victim with an oxygen tank.”
Martinez allegedly struck Lancaster resident David Hernandez-Garcia in the head several times with the oxygen tank in their room in the hospital’s COVID-19 ward, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Martinez’s case will be moved to mental health court, with a Feb. 2 status update set in Lancaster, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
If he is found mentally competent to stand trial and is convicted as charged, Martinez could face up to 28 years to life in state prison.
Previous related stories:
Arraignment postponed for man who allegedly killed fellow COVID patient
LASD: COVID-19 patient kills fellow COVID-19 patient in AV Hospital
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surfside 6 says
It must have been some kind of awful for the poor killer. Most prayers last a whole 30 seconds!
Loam says
Of course he isn’t mentally competent. He killed someone for praying. That’s exactly the reason why this man should be locked up for life and never see society again.
Art says
He’ll never walk the streets again. Depending on his mental status, he’s going to end up spending the rest of his life in prison or a state hospital.
tsparky says
Captain Renault: I’m shocked, shocked…