By Sarah Cassi
April 01, 2010, 12:19PM
The Bethlehem Township, Pa., man accused of strangling his wife and slashing her throat claims he doesn’t remember what happened the day of the murder.
Ramon Gomez, 69, was in Northampton County Court today to finally be arraigned on a single murder charge.
Gomez, of the 1400 block of Seventh Street, is accused of killing his 43-year-old wife on June 7, 2008, in their home.
Gomez was previously in Norristown State Hospital, receiving treatment for a psychiatric illness that rendered him incompetent to stand trial.
He was brought back to Northampton County prison after his psychiatrist reported Gomez has symptoms of the unidentified illness, but should be able to understand and participate in his defense.
In court this morning, Gomez, wearing glasses, a red prison jumpsuit and with a full head of bushy white hair and a white beard, was mostly quiet.
When Judge Edward G. Smith asked if Gomez understands the charge he faces, Gomez was silent and only responded to an interpreter when prompted by his attorney.
“I don’t remember … I was talking to her a lot,” Gomez mumbled in Spanish to the interpreter, his head slightly bowed.
After some clarification, Gomez said he understands the charge.
For the rest of the hearing Gomez would mumble to the interpreter until defense attorney Glenn Matthew Goodge quieted him.
The case was scheduled to go to trial April 12, but both attorneys agreed the date is too soon. A pretrial hearing is scheduled for April 16.
No comments:
Post a Comment