Man accused in father’s beating death to be examined by doctor
Criminal proceedings were suspended Wednesday in the case of a man accused of fatally beating his 64-year-old father in his Desert Hot Springs home, and the suspect will undergo a doctor’s examination in order to determine if he is competent to stand trial on a murder charge.
Jose Angel Velasco, 36, is accused of killing Jose Luis Velasco, whose body was found “with obvious signs of trauma” about 10:45 p.m. Aug. 3 in his home in the 16000 block of Via Corto West, said sheriff’s Sgt. Walter Mendez.
Read: Son arrested for murder of DHS ice cream man
He will be examined by a doctor, who will submit a report to the court recommending whether Velasco is competent to stand trial.
The accused, who’s being held without bail, will return to court Oct. 11 for a hearing on the doctor’s report.
The younger Velasco, who had been living with his father, was arrested without incident around 8 p.m. Aug. 5 in the area of Sixth Street and Grand Avenue in downtown Los Angeles. No other suspects are being sought, according to sheriff’s investigators, who did not disclose a motive for the crime. The District Attorney’s Office charged him with murder Aug. 9.
Family members of the elder Velasco, a beloved local ice cream vendor known as “The Ice Cream Man” or “El Paletero,” are seeking donations to assist with funeral expenses. Donations can be made online here.
