Castle Rock – The man who dragged his girlfriend to death behind his car last fall might be mentally handicapped, his public defender said Tuesday.
Jose Luis Rubi-Nava, 36, could face the death penalty if convicted of the grisly death of Maria Franco-Fierros, 49.
He admitted to investigators that he tied a 10-foot strap to his bumper, placed an opposing noose around her neck and sped away on Sept. 18, leaving a 1.3-mile trail of blood along Surrey Ridge Drive.
“Some investigation has strongly indicated to us we are dealing with problems of mental retardation and other cognitive comprehension disabilities,” public defender Tamara Brady said.
District Judge Paul King postponed the arraignment until May 22. District Attorney Carol Chambers has 30 days after an arraignment to decide whether to seek the death penalty.
Chambers’ spokeswoman, Kathleen Walsh, declined to discuss the case.
Brady declined comment after Tuesday’s brief hearing.
Rubi-Nava and Franco-Fierros, both Mexican citizens, shared an apartment in Glendale. They fought after she arrived home late from work and he accused her of having another boyfriend, investigators say he told them.
Rubi-Nava has a wife and children in Mexico. A photograph of Rubi-Nava and his wife was found near where the dragging began, which led to his arrest a day later.
He has been held without bail in the Douglas County Detention Center since his arrest. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has asked that Rubi-Nava remain in custody.
Staff writer Joey Bunch can be reached at 303-954-1174 or jbunch@denverpost.com.
