A man accused of decapitating his ex-girlfriend with a sword outside her Northern California home is believed to have been in the United States legally despite previous reports indicating otherwise.
Jose Landaeta, the suspect charged with the murder of Karina Castro, was reported to have come to the U.S. using a tourist visa about a decade ago but never left, according to a report citing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, but that claim has since been corrected, the report noted.
“Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has no involvement with this individual,” the agency said in a statement to Fox News.
Castro’s family said she was killed during the day.
WOMAN, NAKED AND COVERED IN BLOOD, MURDERS NEIGHBOR FOR KILLING DOG: POLICE
“[Law enforcement] arrived within minutes and found an obviously deceased female in the street in that area,” authorities said during a Thursday press conference. “They began to work the scene, and shortly thereafter, the male suspect arrived back at the scene and was quickly detained by sheriff’s deputies. He was later placed under arrest for homicide.”
Castro had ordered a restraining order against Landaeta due to a history of violence earlier this year, according to the report.
The pair shared at least one child, a 1-year-old girl, who was present but did not witness the beheading.
Both the girl and her 7-year-old sister were placed in the care of child protective services.
Landaeta was arraigned in court Monday on a felony murder charge.
At the arraignment, the judge reportedly ordered a mental evaluation to determine whether the suspect is competent to stand trial.
“It is better to get this taken care of now than to do it in two years when we’re about ready to start a trial,” San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said.
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“If he’s found not competent to stand trial, that causes the criminal proceedings to be held until he is restored to competency — if ever,” he added.
