Competency trial of alleged murderer slated for next week

By BY Tyler Estep (2)

Thursday, March 15, 2012
© Copyright 2013 Gwinnett Daily Post

LAWRENCEVILLE -- The competency trial of Flavio Pena, accused of kicking a man to death in 2007, is scheduled to begin next week.

If it's held, the jury trial will determine only if Pena is competent enough to face murder and aggravated assault charges. The original competency proceedings were originally scheduled to be held last November, but were continued due to a death in the defense attorney's family.

Pena was supposed to face an actual trial three years ago this month, but his defense filed a last-minute motion for psychological evaluation.

The Lawrenceville resident is charged in the November 2007 fatal beating of 22-year-old David Cruz. Authorities believe Pena kicked the victim to death during a drunken roadside brawl on Arnold Road near U.S. Highway 29, where Cruz's body was found in a ditch the next day.

The two men were acquainted, but police have given no indication what allegedly set Pena off.

Pena has been held at Gwinnett County Jail without bond since the day Cruz died. A detained has also been issued by federal immigration authorities.

More like this story

5 years later, man scheduled to face murder trial ( October 13, 2012 )
Jury: Man competent for trial in kicking death ( March 26, 2012 )
Murder case centers on suspect's competency ( October 27, 2011 )
Murder suspect's competency trial delayed ( November 1, 2011 )
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JCJB 1 year, 2 months ago

You have got to be kidding! In jail since 2007, no trial and an immigration hold to boot? Why is this guy still taking up space in our jail? This is the dumbest thing I have seen in a very long time. How the hell can it take 3 years to get a psych evaluation? The DA and the people in his office need the psych evaluation.

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