The Bronx Man Accused of Fatally Stabbing Teen Deemed Unfit for Trial
A judge ruled on Thursday that Waldo Mejia, the man accused of randomly stabbing a 14-year-old boy to death in the Bronx earlier this year, is currently unfit to stand trial.
Mejia, 29, has been sent back to a psychiatric facility until he is deemed fit to face trial for the murder of Caleb Rijos, as per prosecutors.
The ruling by Bronx Supreme Court Justice George Villegas comes after Mejia was removed from court for a disruptive outburst about Satan in a previous court appearance.
The tragic incident occurred on Jan. 10 when Rijos was walking to school and Mejia allegedly stabbed him in the chest on East 138th Street.
As Rijos lay dying, he managed to call his father and uttered the words “I can’t breathe,” according to a family friend interviewed by The Post.
Mejia, with a history of mental illness and prior criminal offenses, was arrested the following day and charged with murder, manslaughter, and possession of a weapon.
Just a week before Rijos’ murder, Mejia had allegedly attacked a subway passenger in a nearby station, causing serious injury.
Mejia had also engaged in violent behavior towards his neighbors, damaging property and causing fear in the community.
Despite previous incidents, Mejia was released back onto the streets after an attack on a neighbor’s property, prompting criticism of the criminal justice system by Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
During his arraignment for the murder case, Mejia caused chaos by shouting obscenities and proclaiming allegiance to Satan.
He was subsequently held without bail and ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation.
