Perez-Lopez Capital Murder Trial In Springdale Stabbing Reset To Aug. 25

Juan Pablo Perez-Lopez
Juan Pablo Perez-Lopez

FAYETTEVILLE -- The trial of a Springdale man charged with capital murder in the stabbing death of an auto mechanic has been reset to the summer.

Juan Pablo Perez-Lopez, 29, told police during questioning he stabbed Jesus Cecilio Villalobos about 20 times Feb. 13, 2013. His trial was delayed Monday because he hadn't had a mental evaluation to determine if he's fit to stand trial.

The new trial is Aug. 25 before Circuit Judge William Storey.

Perez-Lopez pleaded not guilty last year. The case cannot go forward until the requested mental examination is done.

The examination is to determine if Perez-Lopez is competent to stand trial, understands the nature and consequences of the proceedings against him and if he can assist in his defense.

Perez-Lopez is in the Washington County jail without bond.

Motorists called Springdale police about two men fighting on Huntsville Avenue and one of them had a knife and was riding away on a bicycle. Police found Perez-Lopez on a bicycle with a knife and bloody hands, then found Villalobos, 48, in a parking lot with multiple stab wounds to his chest and his throat cut, according to a search warrant affidavit filed in the case.

Perez-Lopez told police he went to a Walmart, stole a knife and returned to Latino Tires with the intention of stabbing Villalobos because he thought Villalobos was making fun of and taking advantage of him. Perez-Lopez said he had the knife in the pocket of his jacket.

Perez-Lopez said he stabbed Villalobos in the chest, near the heart, according to police. Villalobos fled and Perez-Lopez followed and stabbed the man two or three more times "to make him stop hurting."

Perez-Lopez told police he followed Villalobos across the street on his bicycle.

"Perez-Lopez stated that he stabbed Villalobos two more times in the back and Villalobos fell to the ground where he stabbed him 10 more times," according to police records. "He stated that he then put Villalobos' hat over his face to keep others from seeing him and stabbed him five more times, stabbing him in the throat and chest to make sure he was dead."

Capital murder is punishable by life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty. Prosecutors haven't determined if they will seek the death penalty.

NW News on 02/28/2014

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