Guzman to be evaluated by doctors

Request for examination may take up to three months

EPHRATA — The man police say allegedly kidnapped and raped his mother will be examined by doctors in the upcoming weeks.

Judge Ken Jorgensen granted the defense attorney representing 27-year-old Gilberto Guzman a continuance so that a team of professionals from Eastern State Hospital in Cheney could evaluate Guzman's mental and physical health.

A date has not been set for the evaluation, although defense attorney Brian Gwinn said it could take as long as three months.

"They (doctors) have to come here," Gwinn said. "(Guzman) is not going anywhere."

Guzman, a resident of Warden, appeared in court Tuesday for the second time since his mid-December arrest on several charges, including first-degree rape, second-degree assault and first-degree kidnapping.

No charges of attempted murder, as had been rumored, have been filed, although the investigation continues.

Grant County Prosecutor John Knodell said that on a personal level, this is a difficult case to deal with, given the accusation and the relationship between the victim and her alleged attacker. On a technical level, however, it was not as difficult.

"We will find out what the doctors have to say about Guzman and go from there," he said. Guzman has no prior history of mental illness.

No plea has been entered yet, and may not be until after the examination. The family of the victim declined to comment on the case.

Guzman has had prior run-ins with the law, including a guilty verdict for attempting to intimidate a public servant in 2001 and arrests for theft in 1997 and burglary in 1996.

Knodell said it was too early to tell if Guzman's criminal history would be a factor in the handling of the case.

Guzman's latest legal problems began on Saturday, Dec. 18, when he was arrested after allegedly tying his 50-year-old mother up and holding her hostage at her house for three days.

Warden police authorities said that during the three days, Guzman allegedly physically and sexually assaulted her leaving her with several cuts and bruises, as well as a concussion.

No new report was available on the woman's health.