VAN NUYS : Court Rules Man, 89, Requires Caretaker

A judge on Thursday refused to release an 89-year-old Van Nuys man charged with attempted murder in the beating of his elderly roommate because he has no family members able to care for him.

Defense attorneys, unable to find family members in the area and unable to persuade an East Coast cousin to care for him, are hoping the court will appoint a conservator to look after John Bautista Murano.

Attorneys on both sides agree that Murano, who may be suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, is not mentally capable of standing trial.

“I would call him disoriented and confused,” defense attorney Michael Duffey said.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Herbert R. Lapin said, “We’ll probably dismiss our case” if a conservator is appointed.

“(We) both agree he needs to stay in custody unless we can find somebody who can take care of him, a family member or somebody else,” Lapin said.

Murano was arrested in the early morning hours of May 12 after police were called to a house in the 13900 block of Wyandotte Street. In the bedroom, 83-year-old Mary Leo was found with multiple injuries to the head and neck.

Officials say they have no idea what prompted the beating, and now neither Murano nor Leo has any recollection of the attack.

Leo suffered a broken vertebra, a crushed eye socket, a broken leg and arm, and a severe injury to her scalp. She is recovering at Northridge Hospital Medical Center.

After consulting with both attorneys Wednesday afternoon, Municipal Court Judge Robert Swasey ordered a 72-hour psychological examination for Murano, the first step in creating a conservatorship.

If county officials determine that Murano is not able to stand trial, the matter will be referred to Superior Court.