CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCE CENTER Read More
Add To Favorites

Man accused of killing father to be evaluated again

The Courier - 10/7/2017

Oct. 07--A judge appointed a third doctor to determine if a Gibson man accused of fatally shooting his father at his home last year is capable of standing trial after the previous two experts submitted conflicting reports.

Joshua Resteivo, 27, of 6072 N. Bayou Black Drive, was charged with second-degree murder in the death of 63-year-old Harold Short, the Terrebonne Sheriff's Office said.

District Judge George Larke signed an order on Aug. 1 to appoint two doctors to evaluate Resteivo's mental condition.

Mental health experts Mary Eschete of Houma and Gretna psychologist Rafael Salcedo were ordered to examine Resteivo's present psychological condition and report to the court if he has a "mental disease or defect" that would inhibit his ability to stand trial and assist in his defense.

The experts also evaluated Resteivo's mental state during the time of the murder, according to the judge's order.

However, prosecutors announced Thursday the two experts had submitted contradicting reports. As a result, Larke appointed New Orleans psychiatrist Joshua Sanderson to break the tie.

According to Assistant District Attorney Dixie Brown, appointing a third mental health expert is common practice in such situations.

"When you have two doctors appointed and there are conflicting reports, then a judge will typically appoint a third," she said.

Salcedo concluded in his report that Resteivo was not mentally capable of proceeding to trial but Eschete reported the defendant was capable to assist in his defense, Brown said.

Deputies and detectives responded to the victim's home about 6:40 p.m.July 31, 2016, and took Resteivo into custody. A shotgun recovered at the scene is believed to be the murder weapon. A witness reported there was a fight between the two in Resteivo's bedroom before the shooting.

The suspect and his father had a history of domestic violence issues, authorities said. The Sheriff's Office received a report in 2014 that Resteivo had punched Short in the face.

Resteivo, who's being represented by the Public Defender's Office, remains in the Terrebonne Parish jail on $500,000 bond. If convicted, he could face life in prison without parole, probation or suspension of sentence.

Resteivo's next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 7.

--Staff Writer Dan Copp can be reached at 857-2202 or at dan.copp@houmatoday.com. Follow him on Twitter@DanVCopp.

___

(c)2017 The Houma Courier, La.

Visit The Houma Courier, La. at www.houmatoday.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.