Accused Texas school shooter to remain at state hospital

Pagourtzis is charged with capital murder for the attack at Santa Fe High School

Share 


Houston News category interest

A man accused of fatally shooting 10 people at a Texas high school in 2018 will continue receiving treatment in a state mental health facility as doctors say he remains incompetent to stand trial.

Dimitrios Pagourtzis, 21, has been at the North Texas State Hospital in Vernon since early December 2019.

He was initially committed for 120 days. But he has remained at the hospital since because doctors say he is not competent to be tried.

On Friday, Judge John Ellisor ordered that Pagourtzis stay another 12 months at the facility.

It was the third time Ellisor ordered that Pagourtzis remain at the hospital for a 12-month period.

Pagourtzis’ attorney, Nicholas Poehl, said he was not surprised by the judge’s decision.

We remain hopeful that the case will be resolved at some point in the future, whether that involves trial, or a civil commitment which feels increasingly inevitable,” Poehl said in a statement.

The issue of Pagourtzis’ competency relates to his current state of mind and not his state of mind at the time of the shooting, Poehl has said.

In a statement, Galveston County District Attorney Jack Roady said his office shares the frustration of the victims’ families at the continued delay.

We remain committed to seeing this case tried and seeing that justice is done,” Roady said.

Pagourtzis is charged with capital murder for the attack at Santa Fe High School on May 18, 2018, when he was a student at the school. It is about 50 miles (80 kilometers) southeast of Houston. Because he was 17 at the time of the attack, he is not eligible for the death penalty.

Pagourtzis also faces federal charges in a sealed criminal case.

December 04, 2024
Michael MK

Michael MK
Senior Editor & Writer

Share 

More from Houston News

BODIES FOUND IN ROMAN FOREST
Houston News

BODIES FOUND IN ROMAN FOREST

Two bodies have been located in the woods in Roman Forest. 

LA Fitness is coming to Kingwood
Houston News

LA Fitness is coming to Kingwood

LA Fitness is opening a new location in Kings Crossing Shopping Center in Kingwood

City Of Houston Announces New Art Installation At Central Librarys Barbara Bush Literacy Plaza
Houston News

City Of Houston Announces New Art Installation At Central Librarys Barbara Bush Literacy Plaza

The mosaic installation is now a permanent artwork in the City of Houston’s Civic Art Collection

Man dies on Lake Conroe after medical emergency
Houston News

Man dies on Lake Conroe after medical emergency

This is the first tragedy on Lake Conroe this summer season
 

On the run: Man charged with murder in stabbing death of wife in Atascocita
Houston News

On the run: Man charged with murder in stabbing death of wife in Atascocita

Authorities advise anyone who sees him not to approach, but to call 911
 

The Woodlands Township introduces Sunset Cinema movie nights
Houston News

The Woodlands Township introduces Sunset Cinema movie nights

Movies begin at 8 p.m. and include popcorn, trivia and opportunities to win prizes

Sign up for Houston Caller Newsletters

Keep in touch with everything on Houston Caller. Sign up for our newsletter!
 


Stats
Elapsed time: 0.3408 seconds
Memory useage: 2.77MB
V2.geronimo