BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The father of Genesis Mata, the 8-year-old whose battered, heavily-scarred body was found in a hotel bathtub, has been examined by a psychologist and found competent to stand trial, a Superior Court judge said Thursday.
Criminal proceedings against Ray Mata Jr. remain suspended, however, after his attorneys were granted a two-month postponement to consider their options, including whether to get a second opinion or accept the psychologist’s findings.
Mata is due back in court June 30 with co-defendant Graciela Bustamonte, Genesis’ stepmother, who agreed to the postponement.
Both are charged with murder, torture and other crimes in the child’s death…