Suspect in ‘American Idol’ Exec’s Murder Case May Be Too Mentally Ill for Prosecution

The man accused of killing longtime American Idol music supervisor Robin Kaye and her husband at their Encino home last month will undergo a mental health review to determine whether he’s competent enough to face criminal charges for the murders.

Raymond Boodarian, a 22-year-old man charged with shooting Kaye and her husband Thomas Deluca during a robbery gone wrong in July, appeared in a Los Angeles courthouse on Wednesday (Aug. 20) for what was supposed to be his initial hearing on murder and burglary charges.

But Judge Martin L. Herscovitz suspended the criminal prosecution after Boodarian was repeatedly unresponsive in court. He sat outside the public’s view in what defense attorney Nancy Kolocotronis described as a “suicide gown” — a protective garment worn by inmates considered at high risk for self-harm.

“The record will reflect he’s staring into space and not responding to the court’s questions,” said Judge Herscovitz. “Due to this behavior, the court entertains a doubt as to defendant’s mental competency.”

The judge ordered Boodarian to appear in mental health court on Sept. 3 for a competency review.

In such proceedings, mental health experts review a defendant’s state and determine whether they’re well enough to defend themselves at trial. If the answer is yes, Boodarian’s criminal prosecution could resume. If it’s no, he could be sent to a mental health institution or another treatment program instead.

Kolocotronis declined to comment following the hearing, though she stated in court that Boodarian has “severe mental health issues.” Lead prosecutor Hilary Williams did not have any comment as she left court and spoke with the victims’ family.

Kaye and Deluca, both 70, were found dead from gunshot wounds during a welfare check on their Encino house on July 14. Investigators determined that the couple was shot during a “violent struggle” when they arrived home on July 10 and discovered an intruder inside the house.

Boodarian was arrested on July 15 and charged with two counts of murder and one count of first-degree residential burglary. He remains in custody and faces a maximum sentence of life in prison if found guilty.

Kaye worked as a music supervisor on American Idol for 15 seasons. A spokesperson for the show said in July that they were “devastated” to hear of the deaths, adding, “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.”