Santa Cruz County man accused of killing roommate pleads insanity defense – East Bay Times

SANTA CRUZ — A Watsonville man accused of murdering his roommate and spending hours clashing with police in a farm field has changed his plea to insanity.

On the night of August 7, 2023, Watsonville Police officers located 42-year-old Victor Ruiz Alamillo, who had suffered a fatal gunshot wound, in front of a vehicle parked near their home on West Beach Street. The next day, officers, after receiving a description of a vehicle associated with the alleged shooter, located 45-year-old Hector Rocha in a mint green 1967 Chevrolet truck. Following him into a farm field on Trafton Road in Monterey County, law enforcement engaged in a standoff for more than four hours before they arrested him.

In October 2023, the court suspended Rocha’s criminal proceedings and placed him under the care of a state hospital in order to restore his competency. Rocha was deemed to have returned to competency in April.