Judge Suspends Murder Prosecution Due To Defendant's Mental Health: Report

NAPA, CA — A judge Wednesday suspended the high-profile murder case against a Napa man amid concerns about his mental health, according to the Napa Valley Register.

The mental competency of 36-year-old Ramiro Ochoa Mendoza has been a recurring struggle for prosecutors, as Mendoza was arrested in connection with the slaying three days after misdemeanor charges against him were dismissed in compliance with mental health laws.

Mendoza was charged with murder last month in the killing of 47-year-old Napa resident Noel Batres, authorities said. A judge in Napa County on Wednesday suspended court proceedings for his case, the Register reported.

Batres’ body was found on July 3 under the Third Street Bridge on the banks of the Napa River, according to authorities.

In April, Mendoza was arrested after violating both a restraining order and post-release community supervision, and resisting arrest, authorities said, but in May, he was determined to be incompetent and his post-release supervision violation was dismissed.

He was ordered to undergo mental health diversion with supervised release for two remaining misdemeanors, but missed a court date and was found noncompliant with the diversion program, according to authorities.

“Because the law prohibits prosecution from continuing in cases where a defendant is deemed incompetent on only misdemeanor charges, the court had no choice but to dismiss both remaining cases and did so on July 8, 2025,” the Napa County District Attorney’s Office said in a news release July 15.

“Three days after his court no-show and the dismissal of his two misdemeanor charges, on July 11, 2025, Mendoza was taken into custody by Napa Police officers and charged with the murder of Mr. Batres.”