Accused family killer deemed competent

Yesterday, reports from a pair of psychiatrists determined Rapoza's mental state. Unlike sanity - which refers to a suspect's mental state at the time of a crime - competency refers to the ability to aid in one's own defense. The doctors were scheduled to return their verdict March 17, but defense attorney Jeff Boyarsky said they needed more time to evaluate Rapoza.

Rapoza's competency came into question in mid-February, days before the District Attorney's Office planned to decide whether to seek the death penalty in his case. Rapoza is eligible for capital punishment because of the multiple murder allegations.

Rapoza's family - his 34-year-old wife Raye, her nearly 8-month-old fetus and 4-year-old daughter Tehani - plunged into the ocean Oct. 6, 2002 when their minivan sped over the side of a cliff. Raye and her unborn daughter died at the scene and Tehani struggled on life support two days before being declared brain dead. Rapoza survived the crash, was treated for multiple injuries and arrested for murder in the hospital.

Investigators from the Sheriff's Department claim that during his hospitalization, Rapoza confessed to purposely crashing the car in a botched suicide attempt. Investigators said Rapoza believed the fetus his wife was carrying was not biologically his and he accelerated the vehicle in a jealous rage.

In subsequent interviews, Rapoza claimed his foot was stuck on the accelerator. He has also said that any confession he made was induced by a combination of marijuana he smoked earlier in the day, his own injuries and the painkillers given to him by medical personnel.

Dana Yates can be reached by e-mail: dana@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 106. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.