Waldo Mejia, 29, pleaded not guilty to murder and manslaughter charges for the stabbing of Caleb Rijos, who died on his way to school. Mejia's family claims his mental health issues, including schizophrenia, played a role in the tragedy. They say previous attempts to get him treatment were unsuccessful.
Bronx resident Waldo Mejia, 29, pleaded not guilty to murder, manslaughter and weapons possession charges in connection to the death of Caleb Rijos, who died Friday after he was stabbed twice in the chest on his way to school, according to authorities. Mejia also pleaded not guilty to charges of attempted murder and assault for another slashing in the Bronx on Jan. 5, officials said."It's devastating, this is awful," stepbrother Giomo Mejia said in a phone interview on Monday.
Giomi Mejia said his stepbrother has suffered from schizophrenia since earning an associate's degree in psychology. " I would say, ‘Listen. You need to take your medicine. You need to follow up with your provider,’” Giomi Mejia said. "But he didn’t listen to me." Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark said Waldo Mejia was referred to mental health treatment as a condition of release for the 2019 arson charge.
Douglas Stern, a lawyer specializing in mental health issues, said it’s difficult for families, attorneys and prosecutors to compel mental health care for unwilling individuals.
MENTAL HEALTH HOMICIDE STABBING BRONX CRIMINAL JUSTICE
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