ALISANDRA ROMERO - 3 yo (2008) - Avondale AZ

An Avondale man accused of killing his
girlfriend's 3-year-old daughter has been declared mentally incompetent
and ordered into involuntary treatment, according to Maricopa County
Superior Court documents.
A judge declared Alvaro Holguin Duarte, 24, "criminally incompetent"
on July 30 after three doctors conducted separate medical evaluations,
court records show. The judge ruled that Duarte was "unable to
understand the nature of the proceedings" and was "unable to assist the
counsel" in his defense.
Duarte was ordered to undergo treatment at the Maricopa County
Correctional Health Services Restoration Program, documents show. They
will have 21 months to restore his competency or the charges against
him will be dropped.
Duarte was indicted on first-degree murder and two counts of felony
child abuse last November in the death of his girlfriend's daughter,
Alisandra Oliviana Romero, authorities said. He could receive the death
penalty if he is convicted in trial.
Duarte was baby-sitting Alisandra and her six siblings while his
girlfriend was at work on Nov. 17, police said. Emergency crews were
called to the couple's apartment in the 300 block of East Van Buren
Street about 9:30 a.m. when Alisandra stopped breathing. When
paramedics arrived, they found the girl covered in bruises.
Duarte told police he slapped Alisandra when he discovered she had
relieved herself in her pants, court documents show. Alisandra's
11-year-old brother later told police he saw Duarte stomp on
Alisandra's chest.
Alisandra was pronounced dead at 10:15 a.m. at West Valley Hospital in Goodyear.
Duarte pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on Dec. 11.

Court: Avondale murder suspect declared competent for trial

by Jackee Coe - Jun. 10, 2010 04:10 PM
The Arizona Republic

An Avondale man accused of killing his girlfriend's 3-year-old daughter has been declared mentally competent to stand trial, according to Maricopa County Superior Court records.

The court found Alvaro Holguin Duarte, 25, "criminally incompetent" last summer, which meant he was unable to understand the court proceedings or help his attorney craft his defense.

They declared him competent May 20 after about nine months of court-ordered treatment.

Duarte was indicted on first-degree murder and two counts of felony child abuse in November 2008 in the death of his girlfriend's daughter, Alisandra Romero, documents show. He faces the death penalty.

Duarte was baby-sitting Alisandra and her six siblings while his girlfriend was at work on Nov. 17, 2008, police said. Emergency crews were called to the couple's apartment in the 300 block of East Van Buren Street when the girl stopped breathing. Paramedics found her covered in bruises.

Durate told police he slapped Alisandra when he discovered she had relieved herself in her pants, authorities said. Her 11-year-old brother later told police he saw Duarte stomp on her chest.

His next court date is June 25.


Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/community/swvalley/articles/2010/06/10/20100610avondale-murder-suspect-duarte.html#ixzz117ecCF7S

http://www.superiorcourts.maricopa.gov/Docket/calendar/calList.asp?id=3837&startdate=6/4/2010&length=7

can't find anything on his criminal case yet

Avondale man pleads guilty to 2008 murder of 3-year-old girl
by Jackee Coe - Jan. 14, 2011 01:44 PM
The Arizona Republic
.

An Avondale man accused of killing his girlfriend's 3-year-old daughter more than two years ago has pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, according to Maricopa County Superior Court records.

Alvaro Holguin Duarte, 25, reached a plea deal with prosecutors Wednesday that ensures he won't receive the death penalty, court documents state. Prosecutors also dismissed two charges of felony child abuse.

Duarte is expected to be sentenced to "natural life" in prison on March 2, said Robert Storrs, Duarte's attorney.


"It's better than getting the death penalty, or potentially getting the death penalty and the anxiety that's involved because you don't know what's going to happen," Storrs said.

Duarte is accused of killing 3-year-old Alisandra Romero on Nov. 17, 2008. He was baby-sitting her and her six siblings while his girlfriend was at work, police said. Emergency crews were called to the couple's Avondale apartment about 9:30 a.m. when the girl stopped breathing. Paramedics found her covered in bruises.

Duarte told police he slapped Alisandra when he discovered she had relieved herself in her pants, authorities said. Her 11-year-old brother later told police he saw Duarte stomp on her chest.

Duarte had been declared "criminally incompetent" to stand trial in June 2009 following medical evaluations by three physicians, according to court records. He was declared mentally competent last May following months of court-ordered treatment.

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Janet Barton granted Duarte's request that his mother, a Mexican citizen, attend his sentencing, documents show.

Storrs said Duarte made the request because it will be difficult for his mother to visit him in prison.

"He may never see her again," he said.