Man accused in slaying of ‘American Idol’ music supervisor found incompetent to stand trial; ordered to mental health court
A Los Angeles man, Raymond Boodarian, 22, has been declared incompetent to stand trial in the alleged July 10 killings of “American Idol” music supervisor Robin Kaye, 70, and husband Thomas Deluca, 70, and was ordered to mental health court.
Key takeaways
- Suspect: Raymond Boodarian, 22, is accused of fatally shooting Robin Kaye and Thomas Deluca during a July 10 burglary in Encino.
- Charges: Two counts of murder, one count of residential burglary and special circumstances; Boodarian is being held without bail.
- Court ruling: A judge found Boodarian incompetent to stand trial and ordered him into the mental health court system; a new hearing is set for Sept. 3.
- Evidence & arrest: Authorities say the victims’ gun was recovered at Boodarian’s home; he called 911 and was arrested without incident.
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The killings and alleged method
Prosecutors and law enforcement say officers believe Boodarian entered the couple’s gated Encino property on July 10 by scaling a fence and entering through an unlocked door. When Robin Kaye and Thomas Deluca returned home unexpectedly, investigators allege he shot them multiple times with their own firearm, including fatal shots to the head. The victims were found during a welfare check on July 14 after friends grew concerned.
Reporting and public records cite ABC News, 6ABC and ABC7 for details of the sequence investigators describe.
Arrest and evidence
Law enforcement sources say Boodarian called 911 from his cellphone after the shootings. Officers went to his residence the day after the bodies were found and arrested him without incident. Authorities report the victims’ gun was recovered at his home. He faces two murder charges, a residential burglary charge and special allegations that could increase penalties if he is tried and convicted.
Status: Boodarian is being held without bail.
Court proceedings and competency ruling
A scheduled arraignment was postponed after a judge found Boodarian incompetent to participate in his defense. Court observers reported he appeared detached and unresponsive during the hearing. The judge ordered him into the Encino mental health court system for treatment and evaluation, and set a new court date for Sept. 3 to assess whether competency can be restored.
“He appeared detached and unresponsive,” court observers said during coverage of the competency hearing.
This ruling places the case on a treatment track rather than the traditional criminal calendar while psychiatric treatment and monitoring proceed. (Reporting: ABC7.)
Mental health and prior contacts with police
Court records indicate Boodarian had prior run-ins with the law: he was charged in November 2023 with brandishing a knife and making criminal threats against his stepfather, and in February 2024 faced battery charges involving family members. Those earlier cases were later dismissed after Boodarian was declared mentally incompetent in separate proceedings roughly three months before the July killings.
Legal observers note that California’s mental health court aims to connect defendants with serious mental illness to treatment instead of immediate imprisonment, though critics say the system merits closer review in rare, tragic cases like this. (See coverage from ABC7 and YouTube court coverage.)
Law enforcement response and internal review
The Los Angeles Police Department received two calls about possible burglary activity at the home on July 10. Officers who responded did not enter the property after finding no signs of forced entry and left the scene. That initial handling is now part of an internal review.
LAPD officials have said they increased patrols in Encino and held a town hall meeting to answer residents’ questions and address safety concerns following the killings. (Reporting: ABC News; 6ABC.)
Community reaction and concerns
Neighbors and community leaders in Encino and nearby areas expressed shock and concern. A well-attended town hall raised questions about patrol levels, response protocols and how to prevent similar tragedies. Some residents called for stricter enforcement and better police communication; others emphasized improved care and monitoring for people with serious mental illness.
The death of Robin Kaye, a public figure known in music circles through “American Idol,” intensified attention on public safety and court practices. (Coverage: ABC News; ABC7.)
Legal context: mental health court and restoration of competency
California’s mental health court routes defendants with serious mental illness toward treatment. When a judge finds a defendant incompetent to stand trial, the court can order psychiatric treatment and monitoring with the goal of restoring competency so criminal proceedings can resume. If competency cannot be restored, the legal system must weigh public safety, victims’ rights and the defendant’s civil liberties.
The Boodarian case spotlights questions about prior dismissals tied to competency findings and how the system tracks defendants on treatment plans. (See ABC7 for legal commentary.)
Questions raised about past contacts and oversight
Investigators and community members are asking whether prior signs of danger were missed and if better oversight might have prevented this violence. Boodarian’s earlier charges, some dismissed after competency findings, appear in court records. Officials say they will review the July 10 calls tied to the property that preceded the deaths.
Public safety advocates are urging clearer protocols for responding to possible burglaries and for monitoring people who may be vulnerable or unstable. (Reporting: ABC News; 6ABC.)
Implications for Paso Robles, California
Economic impact: Paso Robles businesses and tourism may feel ripple effects from high-profile violence in Southern California as perceptions of safety influence visitor behavior and real estate decisions.
Political consequences: For conservative readers in Paso Robles, the case could intensify calls for accountability in the criminal justice system, renewed oversight of mental health court outcomes and prioritizing public safety in policy debates.
Social effects & cultural relevance: The story may spur community meetings, neighborhood watch expansions and investments in home security in a region that values self-reliance and personal safety.
Practical applications: Homeowners may review gates, alarms, cameras and firearm storage; residents can petition for increased patrols or community outreach; civic groups can press officials to examine mental health court interactions with public safety.
Ongoing developments and next steps
Prosecutors and defense teams will monitor Boodarian’s mental health status. The case returns to court on Sept. 3 to determine whether competency can be restored. If restored, criminal proceedings would resume; if not, the defendant will remain in the mental health court track with possible civil commitments or other interventions under review.
Law enforcement internal reviews and community meetings are expected to continue as officials address safety questions and pursue improvements. (Sources: ABC7; ABC News; 6ABC.)
