Man Accused in Encino Murders Found Incompetent to Stand Trial; Ordered to Mental Health Court
Raymond Boodarian, 22, accused in the July 10 Encino murders of American Idol executive Robin Kaye and her husband Thomas Deluca, was found incompetent to stand trial and ordered to Mental Health Court Los Angeles on September 3.
Key takeaways
- Victims: Robin Kaye, a music supervisor for American Idol, and her husband, Thomas Deluca — reported by ABC7 and 6abc.
- Incident: Occurred July 10 in Encino; victims found with gunshot wounds during a welfare check, per reporting by ABC7.
- Accused: Raymond Boodarian, arrested July 11 at his Reseda home; charged with two counts of murder, residential burglary and gun enhancements — held without bail.
- Court action: Judge found Boodarian incompetent to stand trial; he was not arraigned and is ordered to appear in Mental Health Court Los Angeles on September 3.
The crimes
What happened: On July 10, Los Angeles Police responded to a welfare check in the Encino neighborhood and found Robin Kaye and Thomas Deluca inside with gunshot wounds. Prosecutors allege Boodarian was burglarizing the home when the couple returned and that he used their own firearm to shoot them multiple times. Sources: ABC7, 6abc.
Arrest: After the killings, Boodarian reportedly called police and identified himself, which helped investigators locate and arrest him the next day at his Reseda residence without incident. Sources: 6abc, local broadcast footage.
Criminal charges and possible penalties
Charges filed: The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office charged Boodarian with two counts of murder, one count of residential burglary, a gun enhancement and alleged special-circumstance enhancements. He is being held without bail pending further proceedings. Sources: ABC7, courtroom footage.
Potential penalties: If convicted on all counts and enhancements, prosecutors say he could face life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty.
Prior criminal history and documented mental health concerns
Records show Boodarian had multiple prior arrests involving family members. In November 2023 he was charged with brandishing a knife and making criminal threats against his stepfather. In February and June 2024 he faced battery charges involving his mother and sister. Those misdemeanor cases were later dismissed after courts previously found him incompetent in those matters. Reporting and footage: local broadcast, ABC7.
Neighbors told reporters the family had tried to help Boodarian during conflicts; one neighbor said they had known him about 15 years and sometimes provided comfort or a place to stay during disputes. Source: broadcast footage.
Court proceedings and the mental health court order
At what was expected to be a formal arraignment, courtroom observers described Boodarian as unresponsive — briefly visible through a courtroom door window, staring off and not answering the judge. The court found him not competent to proceed, so he was not arraigned and was ordered to report to Mental Health Court Los Angeles on September 3. Source: ABC7.
Defense concerns: Defense attorney Lou Shapiro said the case highlights questions about how California’s mental health court system handled earlier matters involving Boodarian, noting that diversion tracks can help many defendants but may also occasionally allow dangerous gaps. Coverage: ABC7.
What “incompetent to stand trial” means here
A finding of incompetence indicates the defendant currently lacks the mental capacity to understand charges and assist in his defense. Criminal proceedings are paused while the person is directed into treatment or a special court calendar for those with severe mental health needs. In this case, the court routed Boodarian to mental health court rather than proceeding with arraignment. Source: ABC7.
Community response in Encino
Local reaction: The double slaying shocked Encino residents and prompted increased patrols. At a town hall at the Encino Community Center attended by more than 200 residents, Deputy Chief Marla Ciuffetelli said,
“When two wonderful people end up dead in their own home, those crime statistics fall kind of flat.”
Residents at the meeting voiced fears about safety and asked for clearer information about the accused’s prior interactions with the justice and mental health systems. The case has led to renewed calls for better coordination between law enforcement, prosecutors and mental health services. Reporting: 6abc.
Investigative questions about system gaps
The case raises multiple questions for investigators and policy makers:
- Case handling: Were prior misdemeanor cases handled in a way that missed opportunities to mandate treatment or supervision? Coverage: broadcast footage, ABC7.
- Inter-agency communication: Did communication fail between the City Attorney, county prosecutors and mental health providers after earlier incompetency findings? Source: broadcast footage.
- Mental Health Court limits: What are the court’s limits in monitoring defendants who may pose public safety risks, and what reforms might tighten oversight without undermining treatment goals? Reporting: ABC7.
Implications for United States
Economic impact: High-profile violent crimes can affect local economies — fewer property viewings, reduced foot traffic and increased spending on patrols and safety measures.
Political consequences: Cases that involve mental illness and violence often become focal points in debates over public safety, criminal justice and mental health policy, potentially driving calls for stricter oversight of diversion programs and competency standards.
Social effects: Stories like this can deepen concerns about safety, highlight gaps in care for people with behavioral health issues and raise worries about stigmatization of those individuals.
Cultural relevance: The victims’ profiles and the location in a prominent Los Angeles neighborhood amplified media attention and community concern, prompting local action such as town halls and neighborhood watch conversations.
Practical applications: Officials and leaders can review coordination between City Attorney offices, county prosecutors and mental health providers, examine mental health court monitoring capacity, and expand community outreach to identify escalating crises early. Examples referenced: local footage, ABC7 analysis.
Source notes and reporting
This article is based on reporting from ABC7, 6abc, and local broadcast/courtroom footage available at YouTube.
Key reporting sources include: ABC7: Suspect in Encino killings ordered to mental health court; 6abc: American Idol executive, husband were killed with own gun, LA County DA says; and local broadcast footage and courtroom reporting (YouTube).
Upcoming proceedings
What to watch: Court proceedings in the coming weeks, including the Mental Health Court Los Angeles session on September 3, will clarify Boodarian’s mental state and whether treatment or supervision will follow the incompetence finding. Source: ABC7.
