Accused father killer to undergo competency evaluation

EPHRATA — Amid questions about his mental health, a Royal City man who is accused of shooting and killing his father in late November has been ordered to undergo a competency evaluation.

Jonathan Torres, 21, of Royal City is currently charged in Grant County Superior Court with first-degree murder (premeditated), second-degree murder (intentional), first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm (serious prior felony), attempted first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm (serious prior felony), resisting arrest and attempted disarming of a law enforcement officer.

Torres, whose bail was previously set at $1 million, was scheduled to be in court yesterday for his arraignment on the charges, but proceedings were put on hold as a result of a request that was granted by Judge David Estudillo with regard to the defendant undergoing a competency evaluation.

Competency evaluations are ordered when there are concerns that a defendant isn’t capable “of properly participating in his or her own defense due to mental health symptoms,” according to the Washington Department of Social and Health Services. In cases where a defendant is found not competent the state is “ordered to provide treatment to the individual to bring them back to competency.” A Jan. 14 date has been set for a review hearing.

Torres’ court-appointed attorney, Michael Morgan, who has represented Torres in the past, told the court of Monday he has concerns about his client’s mental state and corrections officers have referenced problems with Torres while at the jail.

Torres is alleged to have shot and killed his father, 58-year-old Jesus Torres Flores, in late November. In the evening hours of Nov. 27, Torres’ parents drove him to a hospital in Othello due to Jonathan feeling sick. Torres’ mother told investigators they departed the hospital sometime around 11:30 p.m. that night en route back to Royal City with Torres in the back seat behind his mother, who was driving, and his father in the front passenger seat.

Jesus Torres Flores was reportedly “talking about Christ” when his son shot and killed him somewhere near Mardon. Torres’ mother continued driving to their home in Royal City on Juniper Circle and Jonathan’s sister dialed 911. He was apprehended in a parking lot on Camelia Street, but not until after authorities used a Taser on him after he allegedly grabbed hold of a deputy’s rifle that was slung around his body.

Court records indicate there was no broken class or other damage to the vehicle the shooting occurred in that would suggest a bullet entered the vehicle from the outside.

“During a search of the vehicle, no bullets or bullet fragments were located. Based on these circumstances, it appeared to me to be constant with the victim being struck by a bullet that was fired from inside this vehicle,” the records said.

Richard Byrd can be reached via email at rbyrd@columbiabasinherald.com.