Mental competency hearing delayed in Pico Rivera double-slaying case

PICO RIVERA -- A mental competency hearing for a Pico Rivera man awaiting trial on suspicion of murdering his mother and brother, and attacking another brother, was postponed Wednesday, officials said.
Juan Garcia, 48, is charged with the murders of his mother Martha Garcia, 78, and his 52-year-old brother, Jorge Garcia, as well as attacking his younger brother April 2 at the family home in the 8900 block of Gallatin Road.
He appeared in the Mental Health Courthouse in Los Angeles Wednesday for a mental competency hearing, to determine whether he's mentally competent to stand trial -- however it was continued until Nov. 30, court officials said.
The mother was stabbed to death with a knife, while the brothers were beaten with a sledgehammer, authorities said.
Why the killings and attack took place remain a mystery, Sgt. Don Walls of the Los Angeles County Sheriffs.
"I'm not going to speculate on his motive," he said.
Other than the suspect himself, the only surviving witness was the younger brother, Walls said. "And he was basically blitzed."
The brother, then 31-years-old, had been in and out of the home throughout the day and was unaware Martha and Jorge Garcia were dead in the homes attached garage when Juan Garcia attacked him suddenly and without provocation, the sergeant said.
After escaping from the sledgehammer assault, the surviving brother called 9-1-1 about 8 p.m., officials said.
Deputies arrested Juan Garcia on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, and the injured sibling was taken to a hospital with moderate injuries.
Family members found the bodies after they went to the home because they were unable to get in touch with Martha or Jorge Garcia for several hours after the assault, Walls said.
Detectives booked Juan Garcia the following morning on suspicion of the two murders.
According to county booking records, Juan Garcia is being held without bail pending trial at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in Los Angeles.