GUILTY AZ - Leah Costa, 15, Buckeye, 24 December 2014

I don't know how I missed this there is an excellent video and story at link:

http://www.azcentral.com/story/news...01/02/leah-costa-murder-father-abrk/21181611/

Both the victim and the accused are 'special needs' who met at school for special needs students and according to the father of the victim she wanted to be normal.

"who wanted to be normal, but was tormented by bipolar disorder, paranoia and ADHD that kept her from fitting in at school, said her father, John Costa Jr."

Her new school was bring the best out in her......(upthread there was a video interview with her teacher who said staff were worried about her when she did not return to school at end of previous school year)....
 
I can't help but wonder where this guy was the night Adrienne Salinas disappeared. Jmo
 
this kid has been ''troubled'' for some time:

September 2013

''Buckeye police accused Duffell in September of assaulting an officer and resisting arrest near Buckeye Union High School, juvenile court records show.''

refused to leave school grounds and had a pipe as a weapon, cursing at officers - more at link

"In November, a juvenile court judge ordered Duffell to seek counseling, attend school and report to a drug testing and behavioral-health program, records show. His next juvenile court date was set for Tuesday.''

http://www.azcentral.com/story/news...09/buckeye-teen-shot-stolen-handgun/21471631/
 
"IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the experts submit their signed original reports to the Superior Court Forensic Unit no later than 02/20/15.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that a competency hearing is set before Judge Pro Tem Barbara Spencer on February 24, 2015 at 1:30 p.m."

http://www.courtminutes.maricopa.gov/docs/Criminal/022015/m6678461.pdf


according to the minute entries the accused is in the hospital....whether that is for observation or whether that's where he needs to be for health reasons is unknown MOO


there was a note on the court record today to discuss his mental health:

"2/2/2015 122 - ME: Mental Exam Experts Appt - Party (001) 2/2/2015 ''

https://www.superiorcourt.maricopa....rtCases/caseInfo.asp?caseNumber=CR2014-161241
 
Thanks for all the updates, newone.

Subbing.
 
upon reading the minute entries for RD.....it appears that he does pose a threat to the public and is at this time incompetent...and will be reassessed. Looks like there will be another report to the court in April

''Docket Code 124 Form R124E Page 3
IT IS ORDERED committing the Defendant to the Maricopa County Correctional Health Services Restoration Program to receive treatment necessary to restore the Defendant's competency. Furthermore, said facility/program shall submit to the Court a written status report on 04/17/15 stating the Defendant's progress and prognosis, unless prior to that date the treatment facility concludes that competency has been restored or that there is no substantial probability that the Defendant will be restored within 21 months after the date of the original finding of incompetency."

SUPERIOR COURT OF ARIZONA
MARICOPA COUNTY
CR2014-161241-001 DT 02/24/2015
 
I could find nothing for the 4 March 2015 court appearance other than an entry - DEF non competent
 
written status report due Apr 17/15
non evidentiary status hearing Apr 21/15
 
Buckeye teen sentenced to 22 years for killing girlfriend

http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/southwest-valley/2016/06/03/buckeye-teen-sentenced-22-years-killing-girlfriend/85357364/

An 18-year-old Buckeye man was sentenced to 22 years in prison for murdering his 15-year-old girlfriend in December 2014.

The slaying occurred when Robert Edward Duffell was 17.

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge George Foster on Friday also sentenced Duffell to seven years of intensive probation once his prison sentence expires.

In his sentencing hearing, Duffell accepted responsibility for his actions and did not make any excuses. He also read a letter he had written to the court as both his mother and Costa's mother sniffled behind him.

"The Number One thing I would like to say is I'm sorry for what had happened," Duffell read. "I'm sorry for the victim's family, and I wish I could take it back."
 

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