Question: Based on the below information, write me a short paragraph on why Raquel committed the crime charged: Facts of the Case: On December 20th, 2004,
Based on the below information, write me a short paragraph on why Raquel committed the crime charged:
Facts of the Case:On December 20th, 2004, at approximately 12:24 AM, Officer Mead (badge #7163) requested assistance at 1709 S. Rosier Street, Mobile Home #27, where he was assaulted by two suspects: AP1 Raul and AP2 Raquel. Upon arrival, the officer dispatched for assistance found Raul handcuffed but struggling with Officer Mead on the patio. Mead then re-handcuffed Raul properly and went inside the trailer, where he arrested Raquel for aggravated assault against a police officer.
Officer Mead had been sent to locate Raul, who was a suspect in a domestic violence incident. He was informed that Raul might be armed and could be at the specified trailer. After confirming Raul's presence by observing a white Granada vehicle and questioning a female companion, Mead approached Raul. As he attempted to engage Raul, the suspect entered the trailer, prompting Mead to draw his weapon for safety before going inside.
Inside, Raul was initially seated and did not cooperate. While trying to control him, other residents awoke and created a disturbance, speaking in Spanish, which added communication challenges. As Officer Mead continued to struggle with Raul, Raquel assaulted him from behind, hitting him multiple times. Officer Mead sustained minor injuries, including a scratch on his face and a bump on his head.
With additional police units arriving, Officer Mead was able to wrestle Raul out of the chair and onto the patio, where he continued to manage the situation. After both suspects were subdued, they were taken into custody: Raul for the initial domestic violence warrant, and Raquel for aggravated assault against Officer Mead. Officer Mead declined medical attention but was photographed for evidence of his injuries. Both Raul and Raquel were booked into county jail, each facing charges of aggravated assault on a police officer, a class 6 felony. Officer Mead, in full uniform and driving a marked patrol vehicle, confirmed he could identify both suspects and would assist in prosecution. The report was submitted for complaint.
Procedural Component:On January 10, 2005, Raquel, through her attorney Alan Kuffner, requested a Pre-Rule 11 Screening due to concerns about her mental competence related to an Aggravated Assault charge against a police officer. Raquel's motion highlighted her potential mental illness and her limited ability to understand legal matters, functioning at a first-grade level despite being 18 years old. Kuffner stated that the request was made in good faith for the court to evaluate her competency.
Subsequently, a competency screening was conducted by Dr. John Pan on February 6, 2005, which revealed significant cognitive deficits and confusion in Raquel's understanding of her legal situation. Dr. Pan noted that she was not on psychiatric medication but acknowledged her past psychiatric hospitalizations and her limited educational background from Mexico. He also remarked on her possible intellectual disability and recommended further evaluation under Rule 11. Another assessment by Dr. Roger Lehneis on April 4, 2005, found Raquel unable to comprehend the court process and heavily reliant on her family for support, concluding she was not competent to stand trial.
Dr. Robert Udewitz later evaluated her mental capacity and similarly concluded that her intellectual disability rendered her incompetent to stand trial or plead guilty. On May 22, 2005, the Superior Court of Arizona reviewed expert reports regarding her mental capacity; it determined that Raquel had severe learning disabilities and was unable to participate effectively in legal proceedings. As a result, the court declared her legally incompetent under A.R.S. Section 13-4517(3), dismissed the charges without prejudice, and sealed the expert reports to maintain confidentiality.
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