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Court orders competency test for man accused of thefts
All court proceedings have been suspended until a competency test is done on a man who is accused of committing a string of burglaries last month.
Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph Camacho suspended all court proceedings for Martin T. Castro Jr. to allot time for a psychiatric examination to be completed and a report to be issued to determine whether he is competent enough to be tried in court.
Camacho ordered Castro to return to court on Dec. 4 for a status conference to discuss any progress in his case.
During the preliminary hearing for Castro yesterday, his lawyer, assistant public defender Karie Comstock, filed a motion for a psychiatric examination, along with a motion to continue the preliminary hearing.
Castro was remanded back to the Department of Corrections.
Castro, through his lawyer, voiced concerns about his safety at DOC, saying they are mistreating him there.
Camacho told Comstock that if Castro continues to complain about his treatment at DOC, she can advocate for him and, if she cannot find a solution with DOC, she was told to file a motion with the Superior Court.
Castro, 34, who was originally arrested for alleged involvement in three different burglary and theft cases, was arrested again last week for contempt of court after he reportedly violated the terms on his bail release.
According to Saipan Tribune archives, Castro was arrested for his alleged involvement in three burglaries in July—two in Susupe and one in San Antonio.
Castro allegedly broke into a residence in Sunshine Garden, Susupe and stole a cellphone worth $700. He is also the suspect in a theft incident at Mo’s Restaurant, Susupe and a theft that occurred in San Antonio on July 24 at a used car lot.
