Teen charged with murder has competency issues

A year after being charged in the shooting death of his mother’s boyfriend, a Clovis 19-year-old’s case is on hold pending psychological treatment.

Albert Ramirez is being treated at the Behavioral Health Institute at Las Vegas, N.M., after being declared in April to be incompetent and dangerous. District Judge Ted Hartley made the ruling after reviewing the results of a forensic psychological evaluation.

Ramirez is charged with first-degree murder.

District Attorney Matt Chandler said examiners believe with treatment Ramirez could be brought to a level of competency to stand trial.

Court records do not specify the nature of Ramirez’ competency issues.

He is accused of shooting 39-year-old Eladio Robledo in July 2007 outside a Sixth Street home the victim shared with Ramirez’ mother.

Robledo died a short time later at the hospital from multiple gunshot wounds.

A witness told police he saw Ramirez shooting at Robledo, who was laying on the sidewalk.

Debra Ramirez told police she feared her son because of his violent tendencies and made him move out when he reached 18. She filed a no-trespass order against him about four months before the shooting, records show.

Debra Ramirez told police her son had been threatening her and told her, “something bad was going to happen and it was going to be her fault,” according to a police report.

After the protection order was filed, Ramirez’ mother reported her son broke a window at her home because she wouldn’t let him in.

Police said Albert Ramirez also admitted on another occasion he broke the windshield of his mother’s car because he “got mad.”

Debra Ramirez could not be reached for comment.

According to the April order issued by Hartley, Ramirez is to undergo treatment for up to nine months until such point as he attains competency.

Chandler said a defendant is found incompetent to stand trial when it is determined they cannot assist in their own defense or understand the way the judicial system works or the proceedings.

In March, Ramirez was charged with two counts of battery on a peace officer.

According to an arrest affidavit filed in magistrate court, transport officers said they had to carry Ramirez into and out of the courtroom when he refused to walk during a court appearance. After the hearing, they said Ramirez spit on them through the transport vehicle window, head-butted one of the officers at the jail, and had to be forced back into his cell.

Ramirez’ attorney of record, public defender Brett Carter, did not return a call seeking comment Wednesday.