Jennifer Reynolds/The Galveston County Daily News via AP, Pool
It’s been nearly six years since a Houston-area high school student shot and killed eight of his classmates and two teachers.
It will likely be at least another year before Santa Fe High School shooter Dimitrios Pagourtzis, now 23, stands trial for the heinous crime.
Last week, a Galveston County judge ordered Pagourtzis, who has been sequestered at North Texas State Hospital in Vernon since November 2019, to remain mentally incompetent to stand trial and will be re-committed for another 12 months to continue to receive restorative treatment. Pagourtzis is charged with multiple counts of first degree murder and aggravated assault against a public servant for his role in the May 18, 2018, mass shooting that left 13 people injured in addition to the 10 deaths.
“This is again extremely disappointing and disappointing news,” Galveston County District Attorney Jack Rowdy said in a statement. “However, the defendant remains in custody and is subject to these charges of capital murder and aggravated assault of a peace officer, and efforts to restore him to competency are ongoing.” We remain hopeful and committed that this case will be investigated and that justice will be served.”
RELATED: Santa Fe High School shooter remains mentally incompetent to stand trial, further extending 5-year case
Pagourtzis’ defense attorney, Nick Pole, said Monday that the recommitment order is pending. His client has been sent back to the state hospital each of the last five years by a total of three different judges, those orders based on mental health evaluations carried out by multiple doctors.
In the latest order, Judge Lonnie Cox determined that Pagourtzis is “suffering from severe and unusual mental, emotional or physical distress,” is “incapable of making a rational and informed decision” about treatment and is “likely to cause serious harm to others.” court records show. Poel said Pagourtzis has not made “significant progress over the past year,” adding that he did not know if his client would ever be deemed competent enough to stand trial.
RELATED: Galveston County judge removed from homicide case involving death involving Santa Fe High School shooter
Paul said last February that Pagourtzis’ mental state at the time of the shooting, and whether he should be held responsible for the victims’ deaths and injuries, will be the crux of his argument at trial. Poel added: “We have never disputed that he committed the act. This is not a contested issue.’
“The hospital says they still believe he can be recovered,” Poel said Monday. “It’s a long way from saying it will be. They keep trying and we keep waiting.”
Although Cox indicated in his readmission order that Pagourtzis’ condition is expected to last another 90 days or more, he plans to schedule a hearing in the next month or so to request more information from the state hospital about his treatment and progress. Pagourtzis, according to Rowdy. Paul said he and prosecutors are having discussions with the judge about bringing in doctors from North Texas State Hospital to testify and “give an update and end some of the mystery around it.”
“This office will be in contact with the victims and their families as additional details develop,” Rowdy said.
