Lawyer: Florida airport shooting suspect mentally competent
MIAMI — An Alaska man accused of killing five people and wounding six in a shooting rampage at a major Florida airport is competent to proceed with his court case despite indications of mental illness, his attorneys told a judge Thursday.
Esteban Santiago, 26, was treated briefly before the shooting at an Anchorage, Alaska, psychiatric facility after showing up at an FBI office and telling agents he was hearing voices and was under CIA mind control. He made similar statements about mind control after he was arrested in the Jan. 6 shooting at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, authorities said.
Defence attorneys Hector Dopico and Eric Cohen, however, told U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom at a hearing that Santiago understands court proceedings, comprehends the charges against him and is able to assist in preparing a defence. They also said he is taking psychiatric medicine in jail for an undisclosed mental condition.
“We have met with him hours upon hours. We do not have a concern at this time,” Dopico said. “One can be profoundly mentally ill, including schizophrenic, and be competent.”