CASTLE ROCK — During opening arguments at a hearing today for a man suspected of dragging a woman to death, prosecutor Leslie Hansen said Jose Rubi-Nava wanted people to believe he was mentally incapacitated.
While in jail, during a phone to call to his wife, said Hansen, Rubi-Nava told her to tell everyone that “I’m crazy.”
Doctors for the defense and prosecution gave Rubi-Nava separate IQ tests. Hansen said both evaluations showed that Rubi-Nava’s IQ was above the legal standard for mental retardation.
If the judge rules that Rubi-Nava is mentally retarded, he could not be given the death penalty if convicted of first-degree murder in the case.
Rubi-Nava also faces a second-degree kidnapping charge in the death of 49-year-old Luz Maria Franco Fierros.
Rubi-Nava is a Mexican citizen, as was Franco Fierros.
She died in September 2006 in Castle Rock after being dragged behind a vehicle. The coroner said she died of strangulation and massive head wounds.
Rubi-Nava has pleaded not guilty.
The hearing is expected to take at least two days.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
