Deaf-Mute Found Incompetent to Stand Trail for Rape and Slaying

***A FLOOD WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR THE JAMES RIVER AT BREMO BLUFF STARTING SATURDAY EVENING. THE RIVER IS FORECAST TO RISE TO NEAR 18 FEET*** ***A FLOOD WATCH IS IN EFFECT THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES: ALBEMARLE, BUCKINGHAM, CULPEPER, FLUVANNA, GREENE, LOUISA, MADISON, NELSON AND ORANGE.***

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Posted: 11:46 AM Nov 25, 2009 Deaf-Mute Found Incompetent to Stand Trail for Rape and Slaying WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (AP) A man who cannot hear or speak has been found incompetent again to stand trial on charges he raped and killed a James City County teenager. Email Address: news@newsplex.com

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November 25, 2009

A man who cannot hear or speak has been found incompetent again to stand trial on charges he raped and killed a James City County teenager.

A prosecutor concluded Tuesday that Oswaldo Martinez is unable to assist in his own defense because of his limited communications skills. This is at least the fifth time such a determination has been made.

The Salvadoran native is accused in the 2005 rape and slaying of 16-year-old Britanny Binger. When Martinez was arrested, he was unable to speak, hear or sign.

Since then, he has undergone intensive sign-language instruction.

Martinez is scheduled for another competency review May 26.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Toni Location: Charlottesville on Nov 26, 2009 at 12:48 PM

Be for real. Every one is innocent until proven guilty. The man is entitled to a fair trial and if he neither can speak or hear the courts have to do as much as possible for this to be a solid case, not a trial that the man comes back into court an attorney filing a mistrial due to the fact his client is incompetent. Now can u understand what is taking place. Who cares if the man watches TV can't hear so whats the big deal. How did the man get here? How did the terrorist get here? Did you think this out at all? Maybe if you were in a different country with no understanding of the langue and convicted of a crime I wonder how u will feel. Take a step back and reflect on this matter let me help u out 1. Prepare for the trial by teaching sign langue. 2 His day in court before a jury of his peers 3 Found guilty or not guilty not guilty will be deported and if found guilty he will be sentenced do his time if that is the sentence then be deported, FYI the inmates will take care of him.

Posted by: Thom Location: cville on Nov 26, 2009 at 10:50 AM

Ok, I'm part of the public. WTF!

Posted by: Realist Location: Cville on Nov 25, 2009 at 01:37 PM

That's great...an illegal alien who alledgedly (DNA evidence under fingernails) raped and killed a girl. Is anyone asking if he is sooo incompetent, how did he get here? Why is he still here? Why can't we just blow his brains out? It's not like he can complain...this man is an animal and now he is at a state funded hospital watching Law and Order everyday...WTF PEOPLE? When is somebody going to go "WTF" in public?

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