Defense gets independent mental evaluation for Whitstran shooter

The 67-year-old suspect in a Whitstran attempted murder claims he fired the shots last June because the victim stole his identity and immigration papers.

Lucio Reyes Perez told a psychologist at Eastern State Hospital that his intent wasn’t to kill the man, but to protect himself, according to a recent report.

During his three-month stay at the state psychiatric facility, Reyes Perez repeatedly told staff he’s “not crazy” and “believes he is fine,” the report said.

He was admitted to restore his competency in December after Judge Bruce Spanner found him incompetent to stand trial on one count of attempted first-degree murder.

Reyes Perez has been diagnosed with “unspecific schizophrenia spectrum or other psychotic disorder” and reportedly suffers from auditory hallucinations and delusions.

He got psychiatric treatment, was prescribed antipsychotic medications and attended groups during his stay, but “he chose not to participate in competency restoration services,” said the report written by psychologist C. O’Donnell.

After O’Donnell concluded last month that Reyes Perez can understand the proceedings against him in Benton County Superior Court and assist in his defense, attorney Alexandria Sheridan told the court that she wanted to get a second opinion on her client’s mental health.

On Thursday, Sheridan told the court that psychologist Anthony Eusanio of Edmonds is waiting on documents from Eastern State Hospital and the Benton County jail.

Sheridan said that once Eusanio has that paperwork, it shouldn’t take long for him to turn around his own report.

A status hearing is set for April 27. In the meantime, Reyes Perez’s case remains on hold with no scheduled trial date.

Prosecutors allege that on June 19, Reyes Perez waited outside McCorkle’s Market on Rothrock Road until he saw Guillermo Salaz-Lozano arrive. He knew it was the victim’s routine to stop by the store every day about 5:30 a.m.

Reyes Perez yelled at the victim outside the market, called him a derogatory term and fired two shots at him, court documents said.

Salas-Lozano, then 34, was hit in the neck by one bullet. Witnesses identified Reyes Perez, and he was found at a nearby home.

Reyes Perez’s charge involves premeditated intent and includes the allegation that he committed the felony while armed with a gun.

“Mr. Perez noted he had thoughts of harming the victim but was not sure if he would harm the victim at this point. He did not have any intention of harming anyone else,” O’Donnell said in his report. “Mr. Perez indicated it was not his intention to kill the victim when he shot him.”

This story was originally published April 7, 2016 at 5:50 PM with the headline "Defense gets independent mental evaluation for Whitstran shooter."