Eloy Vasquez-Santiago, suspected of killing Hillsboro woman, scheduled for trial

Article author: 
Emily E. Smith
Article publisher: 
OregonLive.com
Article date: 
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Article category: 
Crime
Medium
Article Body: 

A Washington County judge this week ruled that the man suspected of killing 55-year-old Maria Bolanos-Rivera is mentally fit to stand trial.

The mother of six left her Hillsboro home on Aug. 26, 2012, the last time her family saw her. Bolanos-Rivera's body has not been found. Vasquez-Santiago has been charged with murder in her apparent death.

Vasquez-Santiago's murder charge came in September last year after he turned himself in to authorities at the California-Mexico border. According to court records and testimony, he uttered with the words, "I killed her," during a lengthy interview with Hillsboro detectives in the San Diego County Jail.

Defense attorneys raised concerns about the defendant's mental competence, prompting a judge to order his evaluation at the Oregon State Hospital this year. At the end of a hearing on Monday to determine Vasquez-Santiago's ability to aid and assist in his own defense, the judge found the defendant mentally fit.

Vasquez-Santiago appeared before Circuit Judge Don Letourneau on Thursday afternoon, when trial dates were set in the case.

Trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 16, 2014.

Eloy Vasquez-Santiago - ICE HOLD