BEAVERTON, Ore. — A judge has determined that a Beaverton man charged with killing his mother and burning her body in a fire pit is unable to assist in his own defense.
The Oregonian/OregonLive reports Washington County Judge Eric Butterfield on Tuesday ordered Matthew Gutierrez to remain at the Oregon State Hospital for treatment and a second mental health evaluation.
Gutierrez is next scheduled to appear in court in February. He has pleaded not guilty to murder and abuse of a corpse in the July death of 57-year-old Katherine McDowell.
According to the state hospital evaluation, a psychologist wasn’t able to definitively say whether Gutierrez would be able to help in his defense because he refused to be interviewed.
The report said Gutierrez’s family had noticed changes in his demeanor starting in September 2015, including paranoia and violence.
