Mental Competency Doubts Suspend Proceedings For Man Accused Of Killing Valley Couple

VAN NUYS, CA — Criminal proceedings were suspended Wednesday for a 22- year-old man accused in the shooting deaths of an "American Idol" music supervisor and her husband inside the couple's upscale Encino home, with a judge questioning the defendant's mental competency.

Raymond Boodarian of Encino is charged with two counts of murder stemming from the July 10 slayings of Robin Kaye and her husband, Thomas Deluca, both 70, along with one count of residential burglary with a person present.

The murder charges include the special circumstance allegations of multiple murders and murder during the commission of a burglary, as well as firearm allegations. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office will decide later whether to seek the death penalty against Boodarian, who has remained jailed without bail since his arrest July 15.

Boodarian was scheduled to be arraigned in a Van Nuys courtroom Wednesday morning, but the proceeding was halted after Judge Martin L. Herscovitz declared a doubt about his mental competency "based on his behavior in court."

The judge repeatedly asked Boodarian, "Can you hear me?" but the defendant never replied.

Boodarian was scheduled to appear in a Hollywood courtroom Sept. 3 for mental competency proceedings.

The victims' bodies were found July 14 in the 4700 block of White Oak Place, south of Ventura Boulevard, during a welfare check prompted by a call from an acquaintance who had not heard from the couple in several days, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The victims were found inside the home with multiple gunshot wounds.

"In a matter of moments, this couple was senselessly killed in their own home as they returned from the grocery store," District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in a statement shortly after the charges were filed. "This tragic shooting has shaken a Valley community and the notion that home should be our safe sanctuary. Our thoughts and prayers go out to their family and friends who are grieving this tremendous loss."

At a meeting with more than 200 residents concerned about crime in the area, the district attorney said that the two were killed with their own gun.

An "American Idol" representative confirmed the deaths in a statement, saying "We are devastated to hear of Robin and her dear husband, Tom's, passing. Robin has been a cornerstone of the 'Idol' family since 2009 and was truly loved and respected by all who came in contact with her. Robin will remain in our hearts forever and we share our deepest sympathy with her family and friends during this difficult time."

Police said that surveillance video suggests the suspect entered the residence through an unlocked door, and the victims returned home and found the intruder inside.

"A violent struggle ensued between them and the suspect," LAPD homicide investigator Lt. Guy Golan said.

Detectives suspect that Boodarian was burglarizing the house while the couple was away and stayed for about 30 minutes before they returned home.

Police said they identified Boodarian through the use of surveillance video from the couple's home.

According to the LAPD, officers had initially responded around 4 p.m. July 10 to the home in response to the report of someone jumping the fence, but found no immediate signs of an intruder or a burglary.

LAPD officials said an investigation would be conducted into the initial police response to the home and why officers did not detect an intruder in the home that day.

As music supervisor, Kaye was responsible for securing licensing for songs performed by contestants on "American Idol." She began working on the show in 2009.

"Robin was a joy to work with," former "Idol" executive producer Nigel Lythgoe told The Hollywood Reporter. "If there was a piece of music that she couldn't get permission to use, she would have numerous other ideas to offer the contestant."

Former executive producer Ken Warwick echoed Lythgoe's praise.

"Robin was a pleasure to work with," Warwick told THR. "She always kept a cool head in a job that was difficult and manic. She never ceased to deliver and no matter what the stress of a weekly live television show, she always had a friendly and pleasant demeanor. My heart goes out to her family, she will be truly missed."

By Terri Vermeulen Keith, City News Service