Carlos Rico found not guilty

February 27, 2012

The man who left his 4-year-old son on the side of Interstate 20 last June was in court today.
Carlos Rico was found not guilty by reason of insanity in a Nolan County courtroom this morning after both sides waived their rights to a trial-by-jury.
Rico was found incompetent to stand trial last August after meetings with a clinical psychologist. In January, it was determined that Rico was actually able to stand trial, which took place today.
A Sweetwater police officer testified and described the events of the day. A clinical psychologist also testified that Rico was psychotic and acting bizarrely after the incident, saying he was detached from reality.
The judge agreed that Rico did commit the crime of attempted capital murder, but was insane at the time.
Rico will now be committed to the North Texas State Hospital in Vernon, Texas, a maximum security facility.
In 30 days he will return to Nolan County for an assessment of his mental progress, where the judge will then decide if he should be an inpatient or outpatient.