Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Suspect committed to State Hospital
FAYETTEVILLE — A Springdale man charged with capital murder in connection with a 2013 stabbing is still not mentally fit for trial and was involuntarily committed to the Arkansas State Hospital on Monday.
Juan Pablo Perez-Lopez, 31, is charged in Washington County Circuit Court in the death of Jesus Cecilio Villalobos, 48, in Springdale on Feb. 13, 2013. Villalobos was stabbed multiple times.
Perez-Lopez has pleaded not guilty.
Circuit Judge Mark Lindsay signed the commitment order at the behest of Prosecutor Matt Durrett. The order says Perez-Lopez is a danger to himself or others and should remain at the State Hospital as long as he remains unfit. Doctors will periodically report to Lindsay on his condition.
Perez-Lopez’ attorneys notified the judge last summer they were having trouble working with him. An initial examination at the Arkansas State Hospital found Perez-Lopez fit for trial, but a second examination called his mental fitness into question.
Perez-Lopez was again committed for treatment. A report by Melissa Dannacher, a psychologist at the State Hospital, diagnosed him with schizophrenia and antisocial disorder. He also was diagnosed with alcohol and stimulant use disorders, which are both in full remission in a controlled environment, the doctor said.
“It is my opinion that due to his mental disease, Mr. Perez-Lopez continues to lack an adequate factual and rational understanding of the proceedings against him and continues to lack the capacity for providing effective assistance of counsel,” Dannacher wrote in her report.
Dannacher said Perez-Lopez has made substantial gains in the reduction of his psychotic symptoms.
“It is my opinion that he may be restored to fitness with continued in-patient treatment and restoration services,” she said.
Motorists called Springdale police in February 2013 about two men fighting on Huntsville Avenue and said one of them had a knife and was riding away on a bicycle.
Police found Perez-Lopez on a bicycle with a knife and bloody hands, then found Villalobos in a parking lot with multiple stab wounds to his chest and his throat cut, according to a search warrant affidavit. Perez-Lopez told police he went to a Wal-Mart, stole a knife and returned to Latino Tires with the intention of stabbing Villalobos because he thought Villalobos was making fun of and taking advantage of him.
Perez-Lopez said he stabbed Villalobos, an auto mechanic, about 20 times at the business and in the street, according to the affidavit.
Capital murder, if convicted, is punishable by life in prison without parole or the death penalty.