Murder Attempt - Suicide Attempt Med For Depression 08/12/2010 Connecticut Deputy Marshal Tries to Kill Girlfriend & Self: Recovers Sanity After Taken Off Antidepressants
Deputy Marshal Tries to Kill Girlfriend & Self: Recovers Sanity After Taken Off Antidepressants
Summary:
Paragraphs five through nine read: "In August, Garcia allegedly brandished a gun during a dispute with the woman as the two were sitting in a vehicle in Shelton. There was a struggle and the gun went off, with the bullet hitting the floor. Police said they believed Garcia had planned to kill his ex-girlfriend and then himself."
"Garcia allegedly hit the woman with his vehicle and then struck a police cruiser while trying to flee. The woman required about 20 stitches in her leg and had numerous bruises from going up onto the vehicle’s hood, police said at the time."
"During Tuesday’s competency hearing, Yale Univerity-affiliated psychiatrist, Dr. Keith Shebairo, testified Garcia appeared “cooperative and pleasant,” Nov. 29 and responded to questions. Gavin said Garcia had been prescribed two antidepressants, and suffered adverse side effects."
Gavin said Garcia no longer takes the medications, and his mood has improved. Shebairo said Garcia demonstrated the ability to rationally understand the legal proceedings and assist in his own defense. He also testified the antidepressants Garcia took could have led to suicidal urges, and enhance a bipolar condition.
Gavin said Garcia, who has no prior criminal record, has been in solitary confinement 23 hours a day because he is in protective custody.
MILFORD A former deputy U.S. marshal who worked at Ground Zero immediately after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks was found competent to stand trial Tuesday for allegedly trying to kill his ex-girlfriend in Shelton last summer.
Superior Court Judge Richard Arnold also modified the bond of Rafael Garcia, 41, of Garfield, N.J., Tuesday afternoon. Garcia, who was released on $500,000 bond Aug. 4 in the initial assault on his ex-girlfriend, had been held since Sept. 22 on an additional $99,000 cash bond for allegedly violating a protective order.
Garcia allegedly sent an instant message to the woman, and tried to contact the woman’s daughter, which violated the protective order. During a hearing on Garcia’s bail, his attorney, Edward Gavin of Bridgeport, argued the cash bond should be changed to a surety bond. Gavin said Garcia’s family could not post a $99,000 cash bond.
He said if Garcia were able to post bond, he would enter a seven- to 14-day inpatient treatment program at a New Jersey hospital, and then be in an outpatient program. Arnold modified Garcia’s bond to a $200,000 surety bond, which means it would cost roughly $20,000 to release him from prison. As of 4 p.m. Tuesday Garcia had yet to post bond, but Gavin said Garcia’s family is working on it.
In August, Garcia allegedly brandished a gun during a dispute with the woman as the two were sitting in a vehicle in Shelton. There was a struggle and the gun went off, with the bullet hitting the floor. Police said they believed Garcia had planned to kill his ex-girlfriend and then himself.
Garcia allegedly hit the woman with his vehicle and then struck a police cruiser while trying to flee. The woman required about 20 stitches in her leg and had numerous bruises from going up onto the vehicle’s hood, police said at the time.
During Tuesday’s competency hearing, Yale Univerity-affiliated psychiatrist, Dr. Keith Shebairo, testified Garcia appeared “cooperative and pleasant,” Nov. 29 and responded to questions. Gavin said Garcia had been prescribed two antidepressants, and suffered adverse side effects.
Gavin said Garcia no longer takes the medications, and his mood has improved. Shebairo said Garcia demonstrated the ability to rationally understand the legal proceedings and assist in his own defense. He also testified the antidepressants Garcia took could have led to suicidal urges, and enhance a bipolar condition.
Gavin said Garcia, who has no prior criminal record, has been in solitary confinement 23 hours a day because he is in protective custody.
Gavin said Garcia, a 17-year U.S. deputy marshal, was told Tuesday that he was fired.
Milford State’s Attorney Kevin D. Lawlor objected to the bond being lowered. He said the woman is still terrified by Garcia, has moved, and is considering going into witness protection.
“It was only an act of divine intervention that she was able to take two loaded guns from a trained U.S. marshal,” Lawlor said.