Man arraigned in Battle Ground toddler’s death, pleads not guilty

A Battle Ground man accused of killing his girlfriend’s 3-year-old son entered not-guilty pleas Monday in Clark County Superior Court, though his attorney said he may enter an insanity plea at a later date.

Ricardo Gutierrez, 39, faces charges of first-degree domestic violence murder and second-degree domestic violence assault for allegedly beating and stabbing Jose “Pepe” Castillo-Cisneros to death May 23 at their Battle Ground home. He was not the boy’s father.

Gutierrez’s arraignment was previously set over twice so his defense attorney, Ed Dunkerly, could decide whether to pursue an insanity defense. Written notice of an insanity defense must be filed at the time of arraignment or within 10 days after, according to state court rules.

However, Clark County Prosecuting Attorney Tony Golik, who’s handling Gutierrez’s case, said he will not object if the defense does not meet that time frame.

Judge Robert Lewis also granted the defense’s waiver of speedy trial and set Gutierrez’s trial date for June 26. His next hearing will be Nov. 8.

Gutierrez attacked Pepe after the child reportedly became upset over a movie he didn’t want to watch, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in Superior Court.

He also is accused of harming the boy’s mother, Yadira Cisneros-Sanchez, as she tried to stop him. Police said she suffered injuries to her leg, arm and neck.