Criminal proceedings have been suspended for an Alpine man accused of killing his girlfriend, Melanie Benitez, after his attorney said he might not be able to understand court proceedings.
A mental competency hearing is set for July 29 for Paul Paraschak, 43, in San Diego Superior Court. Paraschak will be given a mental evaluation in jail by a psychiatrist, who will write a report and send it to the judge.
Paraschak had been set for a June 10 preliminary hearing, but that is canceled. If he is found mentally competent, new hearings will be set, but if not, he would likely go to a state psychiatric facility for treatment.
Benitez, 27, was found shot to death Feb. 23 outside a white car that was parked in the driveway of a home in the 2800 block of Victoria Drive. A woman who lived there said she didn’t know the couple.
An El Cajon Superior Court judge suspended the proceedings in April–as required by law–after Paraschak’s attorney told him he doubted his client’s mental competency.
Sheriff’s deputies arrested Paraschak as he was walking away from the scene and they found he was in possession of two firearms.
Fox 5 News reporter Kasia Gregorczyk was the only reporter to talk to Paraschak in jail the day before he was arraigned.
“Some things are hazy,” said Paraschak in the Fox 5 interview when asked if he remembered the slaying. “I was intoxicated.”
When Gregorczyk asked him what substances had he taken, he replied “weed and alcohol.”
“They said she’s deceased,” said Paraschak, adding he was informed of it after his arrest.
“I am sorry that we have lost a beautiful spirit,” said Paraschak, who added that he still loved her during the interview.
He remains in jail without bail.
