“Competency of Virgilio Aguilar Mendez in the Death of St. Johns County Lawman Examined in Court Hearing”

Accident – Death – Obituary News : The competency of 18-year-old Virgilio Aguilar Mendez, who has been charged in the death of a St. Johns County lawman, was the main focus during a recent court hearing. The case has garnered attention due to Aguilar Mendez being an immigrant with limited English proficiency. Both the defense and prosecution called experts to testify about his understanding of the legal system and the potential consequences of his case.

During the hearing, experts including forensic psychologist Dr. Yenys Castillo, neuropsychologist Dr. Yolanda Leon, and Mari Blanco from The Guatemalan-Maya Center testified for the defense. Forensic psychologist Roger Davis testified on behalf of the prosecution. The experts provided their opinions on Aguilar Mendez’s competency to stand trial.

Castillo and Leon both expressed their belief that Aguilar Mendez is not competent to proceed to trial. They highlighted the difficulty in communicating with him, as he speaks a distinct language called Mam and struggles with Spanish. They noted that he often responds with simple affirmations, even when it is clear he does not understand the question. Castillo mentioned that he has particular trouble with numbers and dates, and struggles to comprehend legal concepts such as guilt and potential penalties.

On the other hand, Davis argued that Aguilar Mendez’s level of understanding is debatable. Despite his intellectual challenges, Aguilar Mendez has been living independently and working. Davis believes that this demonstrates his ability to adapt and learn. He acknowledged that Aguilar Mendez may have struggled to grasp the legal system due to both a lack of effort and unfamiliarity with the U.S. legal system. However, Davis emphasized that unfamiliarity with the legal system is not a barrier to competency.

Regarding Aguilar Mendez’s mental state, Davis stated that there were no indications of psychosis or mania, which are common signs of incompetence. He maintained that Aguilar Mendez is mentally sound.

During the hearing, Assistant Public Defender Rosemarie Peoples requested the judge to find Aguilar Mendez incompetent and release him, allowing for competency training with an appropriate agency. Assistant State Attorney K. Mark Johnson argued that none of the experts testified to Aguilar Mendez having a mental illness. He believes that competency can be achieved, despite the language barrier, with the use of interpreters.

Judge R. Lee Smith expressed the need for more time to review the case and address the matter of the bond hearing. The court will reconvene at a later date to make a decision.

In conclusion, the competency hearing for Virgilio Aguilar Mendez has brought to light the challenges he faces due to limited English proficiency and a distinct linguistic background. While the defense experts argue that he is not competent to proceed to trial, the prosecution expert believes that he can be taught and made competent. The court will continue to deliberate and make a decision in the near future..