Raymond Boodarian found mentally incompetent to stand trial in Encino double murder of American Idol music supervisor
Encino, California (High Desert News Online) – Raymond Boodarian, accused of fatally shooting American Idol music supervisor Robin Kaye and her husband Thomas Deluca during a July 10, 2025 burglary at their Encino home, has been found mentally incompetent to stand trial.
- Competency ruling: A judge ordered Boodarian into mental health court rather than advancing criminal proceedings.
- Victims: Robin Kaye, a long-time American Idol music supervisor, and her husband Thomas Deluca.
- Charges: Two counts of murder, one count of residential burglary, special-circumstance allegations and a gun enhancement; potential penalties include life without parole or the death penalty if convicted.
- Public concern: The case has spurred scrutiny of California’s handling of defendants with repeated mental-health findings and diversion options.
The case and the arraignment
Incident: On July 10, 2025, police say Robin Kaye and Thomas Deluca were found shot multiple times inside their Encino home after a friend requested a welfare check. Prosecutors allege the attacker used the couple’s own firearm (6abc; ABC7).
Arrest: Authorities identified 22-year-old Raymond Boodarian as a suspect after he reportedly called police to report the killings and gave his name. He was arrested in Reseda without incident and is being held without bail (6abc; YouTube video coverage).
Reporters and courtroom witnesses said Boodarian appeared disengaged and often unresponsive during the hearing, prompting the judge to postpone the arraignment and order mental health intervention (ABC7).
Charges and possible penalties
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office has charged Boodarian with two counts of murder and one count of residential burglary. Prosecutors allege special-circumstance factors and have added a firearm enhancement. If he is later restored to competency, convicted, and the enhancements are found true, penalties could include life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty under California law (YouTube reporting).
Mental health findings and prior cases
Public records and reporting show Boodarian has prior encounters with the law tied to mental-health findings. In 2023 he faced allegations for brandishing a knife and making criminal threats against his stepfather; in 2024 he faced battery charges tied to his mother and sister. Those earlier misdemeanor cases were dismissed after a court found him mentally incompetent (ABC7; YouTube reports).
Debate: Defense attorneys and legal experts note that California law provides pathways for treatment and diversion for defendants with serious mental illness. Critics argue that previous procedural outcomes and diversion decisions in Boodarian’s record raise questions about public safety and system oversight (ABC7).
Neighbors and community accounts
Neighbors described Boodarian as troubled, saying his family had tried to help him for years. Broadcast interviews with local residents recounted signs of family conflict and prior efforts to secure help for him (YouTube coverage).
In response to community concern, the LAPD and the District Attorney’s office increased patrols and outreach in Encino to reassure residents while investigators continue evidence gathering (6abc).
Timeline and next steps in the legal process
Because a judge found Boodarian mentally incompetent to stand trial, criminal court proceedings are paused. He will remain under mental health evaluation and treatment with the stated goal of restoring competency. If clinicians later determine he is competent, criminal charges can be reinstated and the case would return to criminal court. No further trial dates are scheduled while he is in mental health court (ABC7).
Legal standards: Prosecutors must prove the standard elements of the charged crimes if the case resumes. Defense may seek continued treatment or argue that mental illness affected criminal responsibility. California’s treatment-based diversion options require courts to weigh rehabilitation against public safety.
Public safety and legal scrutiny
The competency finding has intensified scrutiny of how courts and mental health systems handle defendants with repeated findings of serious mental illness. Officials stress that competency determinations are medical-legal decisions, but families and community members often demand clearer explanations when violent incidents follow earlier interventions (ABC7).
Implications for The High Desert, California
Economic impact: High Desert communities — including Victor Valley and Lancaster–Palmdale corridors — depend on a sense of safety for local businesses and real estate. High-profile crimes nearby can depress consumer confidence, reduce attendance at events, and increase demand for private security and insurance.
Political consequences: For moderate conservative voters across the High Desert, the case fuels debates about public safety, criminal justice, and mental health policy. Local officials may face pressure to tighten oversight of diversion programs and request clearer reporting from county mental health services.
Social and cultural effects: Families caring for relatives with serious mental illness may feel empathy and alarm. Community groups that support behavioral-health needs may see increased advocacy. The High Desert’s tradition of self-reliance can both help and complicate local responses to such tragedies.
Practical applications: County and city leaders may review protocols for sharing information about dangerous individuals while respecting privacy and civil-rights limits. Law enforcement could increase outreach and clarify welfare-check procedures. Mental health clinics might see higher demand for crisis services and diversion-navigation help.
Sources and reporting note
This story draws on reporting from ABC7 and 6abc, and on broadcast reports available at YouTube and YouTube.
No trial dates have been set while Raymond Boodarian remains under evaluation for competency and is ordered to mental health court.
