Proffitt Case Suspended

Judge Orders Mental Evaluation

— Defense attorneys representing a Rogers man accused of killing an 11-month-old boy will raise the issue of mental disease or defect to defend him.

Michael Proffitt Jr., 38, is charged in connection with capital murder. He could be sentenced to life in prison without parole or the death penalty if convicted. Van Stone, Benton County prosecutor, has said his office will seek the death penalty. Proffitt is being held without bond in the Benton County Jail.

Joel Huggins, one of Proffitt’s attorneys, told Circuit Judge Robin Green on Tuesday of the defense’s intentions. Huggins then requested Proffitt be evaluated at the Arkansas State Hospital in Little Rock.

Proffitt already has been evaluated by a defense expert, but the details of the evaluation weren’t discussed Tuesday.

Green suspended proceedings and ordered Proffitt be sent to the State Hospital.

Stone asked that the defense turn over any records that could assist the State Hospital with the evaluation. Kent McLemore, Proffitt’s other attorney, said the defense would comply with Stone’s request.

Green set Proffitt’s next hearing for 8 a.m. May 13.

Rogers police arrested Proffitt on June 4 in connection with the boy’s death. Proffitt is accused of killing Santana Martinez while he watched him for his stepson and his stepson’s fiancee on May 30, according to court documents.

The child’s mother, Chantel Martinez, told police she noticed bruising on her son after she had left him with Proffitt in the past, according to the probable cause affidavit.

Proffitt initially told police the child fell off a bed, according to the probable cause affidavit. He later said the infant fell from his bassinet. He also said he shook the child and hit the boy’s head on a dresser, according to court documents.

Dr. Frank Peretti with the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory said Santana suffered a skull fracture on the back of his head, blunt force head injuries and numerous bruises to his face, neck and head, according to court documents.

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