One of the five suspects in the vicious machete attack of a student in Homestead faced a judge Thursday. Looking down and clutching his face, Christian Colon claimed he's insane.
"We believe that Mr. Colon is suffering from psychoses and we believe that he's not competent at this time to stand trial," said Jimmy Delafera, defense attorney.
Colon is one of five suspects facing charges for the brutal murder of 17-year old Jose Amaya-Guardado.
Detectives said Colon and the other suspects killed Amaya-Guardado with a machete, set fire to his corpse and left him in an empty field. Two of the suspects had sex near the body. All of them were students at the Job Corps Center in Homestead, a school for at-risk youth.
"He indicated that he doesn't get sleep, no more than three hours. I believe, he said, because of the voices," said a psychologist in court, state's witness.
Colon's mental state has been in question since his arrest. He told detectives his repeated drug abuse led him to have psychotic episodes.
"At a couple of points during the interview, he would say things like 'shut up' or 'shh stop talking' as though they were happening during the interview," the psychologist continued.
Local
The judge ruled that Colon is not mentally incompetent and he will stand trial.
Colon will remain behind bars, waiting to be tried for first-degree murder. His trial could potentially be in two years, and he could get the death penalty if convicted.
