DIMITRIOS PAGOURTZIS

The defense team for Dimitrios Pagourtzis, charged with capital murder in the 2018 shooting at Santa Fe High School, claims Judge Jeth Jones is "shopping" for medical experts so its client can be determined mentally competent to stand trial.

The defense team for accused Santa Fe shooter Dimitrios Pagourtzis is asking the judge overseeing the case to be removed due to what they claim is bias.

On Friday, families of Santa Fe High School shooting victims crowded a Galveston County courtroom for the first public hearing in this case in more than two years.

Dimitrios Pagourtzis has been committed to a state-run mental health institution since November 2019. A judge determined him to be mentally incompetent to stand trial as recently as this February.

At a hearing Friday in the Santa Fe mass shooting case, a judge appointed an independent party to do a full competency evaluation on Dimitrios Pagourtzis, the charged Santa Fe High School gunman.

A Galveston area state senator is working to pass a law that would allow crime victims and immediate family members to view the evidence in certain criminal cases that have not yet gone to trial.

An online ammunition seller has reportedly reached an agreement with the survivors of the Santa Fe High School shooting and several family members of the deceased victims.

A judge in Galveston County ordered Dimitrios Pagourtzis, charged with capital murder of multiple persons and aggravated assault of a public servant in a 2018 school shooting in the Houston area, to remain at a state-run hospital for up to 12 more months.

Officials with the Galveston County District Attorney’s Office tell KPRC 2 Investigates Dimitrios Pagourtzis remains incompetent to stand trial.

Accused Santa Fe school shooting gunman, Dimitrios Pagourtzis, is still not competent to stand trial, KPRC 2′s Robert Arnold reports, citing the Galveston County District Attorney’s Office.

A memorial honoring the 10 people who were killed during a shooting at a Texas high school in 2018 has been unveiled on the third anniversary of the deadly incident.

It was not immediately known where Alissa purchased his gun or whether that incident came up on a background check. Had he been convicted of a felony, his purchase would've been barred under federal law. A lawyer for the gun shop said it complies with federal background check laws. It was then shipped to a Dayton-area firearms dealer, in accordance with federal law. His gradual accumulation of guns went undetected because federal law doesn't require licensed gun dealers to alert the government about rifle purchases.

HOUSTON (AP) — A student accused of fatally shooting 10 people at a Texas high school in 2018 will spend up to another 12 months at a state mental health facility as doctors say he remains incompetent to stand trial, his attorney said Tuesday. Dimitrios Pagourtzis, 20, has been receiving mental health treatment at the North Texas State Hospital in Vernon since early December 2019. But doctors in March 2020 determined he was still incompetent and he was ordered to stay another 12 months, said Nick Poehl, one of Pagourtzis’ attorneys. So, we just reupped for up to another 12 months,” Poehl said. Poehl said he could not discuss specific details of Pagourtzis’ treatment due to privacy issues.

FILE - In this Feb. 25, 2019 file photo, Dimitrios Pagourtzis is escorted by Galveston County Sheriff's Office deputies into a courtroom at the Galveston County Courthouse in Galveston, Texas. Court records show as that period of time was ending, doctors at the hospital informed the court Pagourtzis’ competency was not likely to be restored within the next 90 days. Judge Ellisor is expected to sign another order for Pagourtzis to remain at North Texas State Hospital for 12 more months. Ad“The Court recently received, and transmitted to the State and Defense, a report from the North Texas State Hospital that Dimitrios Pagourtzis remains incompetent to stand trial. AdIn state court, Pagourtzis is considered an adult but his age at the time of the shooting prevents him from receiving either the death penalty or life without parole.

SEE KPRCs FULL COVERAGE OF THE SANTA FE HIGH SCHOOL SHOOTINGThe victims were Christopher Jake Stone, Sabika Sheikh, Cynthia Tisdale, Shana Fisher, Jared Black, Christian Riley Garcia, Angelique Ramirez, Kimberly Vaughan, Glenda Ann Perkins and Aaron Kyle McLeod. Exterior photo of Santa Fe High School. Santa Fe Independent School District posted a virtual remembrance service on Friday honoring those who lost their lives or were hurt in the shooting. Dimitrios Pagourtzis, the suspect in the Santa Fe High School shooting, was formally declared incompetent to stand trial in November 2019 by a Galveston County judge. The Santa Fe Crisis and Support Line is available 24 hours a day at 800-595-0869.

EMBED >More News Videos Go inside Texas State Hospital, where violent accused criminals get treatment designed to restore their competency to stand trial. HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The teenager accused of the Santa Fe High School massacre has been transferred to a mental health facility.Dimitrios Pagourtzis, 19, was transferred Thursday morning from the Galveston County Jail to the North Texas State Hospital in Vernon, officials confirmed.Last month, a judge ruled Pagourtzis was incompetent to stand trial.He was ordered "committed to and confined" to a Texas Department of State Health Services facility, the ruling states. The treatment may not exceed 120 days.Over that time period, he will be evaluated and treated to make him fit to stand trial. With the ruling, he won't be allowed to refuse treatment.The order states Pagourtzis is unfit for trial as of Oct. 18. The trial, which was moved to Fort Bend County, was set to begin in February 2020.Earlier in November, the suspect's lawyers indicated that he was likely to be declared incompetent for trial.Pagourtzis' mental state has been the focus of several discussions between prosecutors and defense attorneys since the shooting that killed 10 and injured 13 others.In August, attorneys for Pagourtzis said his mental state had deteriorated to the point that he doesn't understand the case before him.If convicted, he faces life in prison with the possibility of parole after 40 years.

EMBED >More News Videos Go inside Texas State Hospital, where violent accused criminals get treatment designed to restore their competency to stand trial. HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The teenager accused of the Santa Fe High School massacre has been transferred to a mental health facility.Dimitrios Pagourtzis, 19, was transferred Thursday morning from the Galveston County Jail to the North Texas State Hospital in Vernon, officials confirmed.Last month, a judge ruled Pagourtzis was incompetent to stand trial.He was ordered "committed to and confined" to a Texas Department of State Health Services facility, the ruling states. The treatment may not exceed 120 days.Over that time period, he will be evaluated and treated to make him fit to stand trial. With the ruling, he won't be allowed to refuse treatment.The order states Pagourtzis is unfit for trial as of Oct. 18. The trial, which was moved to Fort Bend County, was set to begin in February 2020.Earlier in November, the suspect's lawyers indicated that he was likely to be declared incompetent for trial.Pagourtzis' mental state has been the focus of several discussions between prosecutors and defense attorneys since the shooting that killed 10 and injured 13 others.In August, attorneys for Pagourtzis said his mental state had deteriorated to the point that he doesn't understand the case before him.If convicted, he faces life in prison with the possibility of parole after 40 years.

A shackled Dimitrios Pagourtzis is walked into a courtroom in Galveston County, Texas, on Feb. 25, 2019. GALVESTON, Texas - Dimitrios Pagourtzis, the suspect in the Santa Fe High School shooting, was formally declared incompetent to stand trial Friday by a Galveston County judge. An attorney for Pagourtzis said last week that her client would likely be declared incompetent after a trio of experts agreed he did not understand the circumstances he is facing. The judge's order requires Pagourtzis to be treated at a state mental health facility for a period of no more than 120 days, with the goal of his competency being restored so that he can stand trial. Pagourtzis is accused of killing 10 people and injuring 13 others during the half-hour rampage May 18, 2019.

SANTA FE, Texas - Victims and the families of victims of the Santa Fe High School shooting are expressing sadness and disappointment after learning the suspect in the massacre may soon be declared mentally incompetent to stand trial. Attorneys for Dimitrios Pagourtzis announced Monday that three mental health experts -- picked by the defense, prosecutors and the court -- found him mentally incompetent. The families of the victims met with the Galveston County District Attorney, and afterward, described that meeting as tense. The victims' families worry that the process will become a revolving door. "Once you are involved in this, you realize justice is -- it's not what you see on TV," said Flo Rice.

EMBED >More News Videos Flo Rice, who survived the Santa Fe High School massacre, says the justice system is not in favor of the victims. "He victimized us after we're already going through hell," Rice said during a Monday evening press conference of Pagourtzis' attorney, Nick Poehl. Many scenarios were explained.Pagourtzis could possibly go to a mental hospital for several months to restore his mental health. "There is a waiting list just to get to the mental hospital, probably 8 months," said Scott Rice, Flo's husband. "The killer has all of the rights right now," said Steve Perkins, whose wife, teacher Glenda Ann Perkins, was killed in the shooting.

SANTA FE, Texas (KTRK) -- The defense attorney for the accused Santa Fe High School shooter confirms that Dimitrios Pagourtzis is likely to be found incompetent for trial.Last month, a judge in Pagourtzis' case issued a new evaluation to determine his competency. Documents showed the decision to have a new evaluation was made in October, after reports by Pagourtzis' retained expert and the court's appointed expert.Defense Attorney Nick Poehl tells ABC13 Eyewitness News the findings come from medical evaluations.Pagourtzis' mental state has been the focus of several discussions between prosecutors and defense attorneys since the May 18, 2018 shooting that killed 10 people and injured 13 others.Back in August, attorneys for Pagourtzis said his mental state has deteriorated to the point that he doesn't understand the case set before him.The trial, which was moved to Fort Bend County, was slated to happen at the beginning of 2020.If convicted, Pagourtzis, who was 17 years old at the time of the shooting, will not face the death penalty.

All three agreed that the teen is not competent to stand trial, attorney Nicholas Poehl said. (CNN) - The Texas teen accused of killing 10 people at Santa Fe High School last year will be declared not competent to stand trial, his defense attorney said Monday. Dimitrios Pagourtzis was evaluated by three experts: one hired by the defense, an independent expert and one chosen by state prosecutors. All three agreed that the teen is not competent to stand trial, attorney Nicholas Poehl said. But now that the suspect is considered not competent to stand trial, "he will be transferred to a state psychiatric hospital for treatment," his defense attorney said.

SANTA FE, Texas (KTRK) -- A judge in the case of Dimitrios Pagourtzis has issued a new evaluation to determine the accused Santa Fe High School shooter's competency to stand trial, according to court documents.Documents show the decision was made Tuesday after reports by Pagourtzis's retained expert and the court's appointed expert.Pagourtzis's mental state has been the focus of several discussions between prosecutors and defense attorneys since the May 18, 2018 shooting that killed 10 people and injured 13 others.Back in August, attorneys for Pagourtzis said his mental state has deteriorated to the point that he doesn't understand the case set before him.The trial for Pagourtzis is set to begin in Fort Bend County in January 2020.If convicted, Pagourtzis, who was 17 years old at the time of the shooting, will not face the death penalty.

SANTA FE, Texas (KTRK) -- A judge in the case of Dimitrios Pagourtzis has issued a new evaluation to determine the accused Santa Fe High School shooter's competency to stand trial, according to court documents.Documents show the decision was made Tuesday after reports by Pagourtzis's retained expert and the court's appointed expert.Pagourtzis's mental state has been the focus of several discussions between prosecutors and defense attorneys since the May 18, 2018 shooting that killed 10 people and injured 13 others.Back in August, attorneys for Pagourtzis said his mental state has deteriorated to the point that he doesn't understand the case set before him.The trial for Pagourtzis is set to begin in Fort Bend County in January 2020.If convicted, Pagourtzis, who was 17 years old at the time of the shooting, will not face the death penalty.

Attorneys for Dimitrios Pagourtzis say their client cant understand the legal proceedings against him. Attorneys representing Dimitrios Pagourtzis, the teenager charged for last years shooting at Santa Fe High School, are seeking a mental evaluation and saying their client cant understand the legal proceedings against him. Pagourtzis is charged with capital murder for the May 2018 attack at Santa Fe High School that left 10 people dead and wounded more than a dozen others. The 18-year-old is currently awaiting trial, which a judge has moved to another county because of intense publicity surrounding the case. According to the Galveston County Daily News , Pagourtzis attorneys argued in a court filing Monday that the teenagers mental state has degraded to the point where there is no understanding of the matter and the proceedings.The Galveston County District Attorneys Office declined to comment Monday on the motion.

Dimitrios Pagourtzis is suspected of being the shooter at Sante Fe High School in Texas on May 18, 2018. SANTA FE, Texas - Defense attorneys for the teen charged with murdering classmates and educators at Santa Fe High School are asking the court to evaluate their clients competency to stand trial. Motions filed by his defense team asked the judge to hold a hearing to determine whether Dimitrios Pagourtzis is competent to stand trial. Court documents filed earlier this year indicate Pagourtzis attorneys are planning an insanity defense if the case goes to trial. Pagourtzis attorneys declined to comment beyond what is in their motions except for a brief written statement.

SANTA FE, Texas (KTRK) -- A man who told national media outlets that he was a substitute teacher at the time of the Santa Fe High School shooting never worked for the district, Santa Fe ISD told ABC13.The man, who identified himself as David Briscoe, told outlets including CNN, Time and The Wall Street Journal that he witnessed the shooting on May 18, 2018.Ten people were killed and 13 were injured when accused shooter Dimitrios Pagourtzis opened fire.Santa Fe ISD said over the past week it has been asked to verify whether Briscoe ever worked there. We appreciate the efforts of those working to correct this misinformation. As a district our focus has always been and continues to be on supporting the needs of our students, staff, and community through the healing and recovery process." Time and The Wall Street Journal have all since issued updates, removing Briscoe's quotes from their coverage.Eight students and two substitute teachers died in the shooting.Pagourtzis' trial is set to begin in Fort Bend County in January 2020. His defense requested a change of venue out of Galveston County, where the shooting occurred, citing hundreds of social media comments on local news articles, giving them a window into how the potential jury pool feels.

HOUSTON – The debate over gun control has ramped up once again in Texas following the mass shooting at Santa Fe High School. He said Democrats see the Santa Fe tragedy as a call for gun control. Florida lawmakers defied the NRA and passed a gun control package after lobbying by student survivors of the attack. In the Santa Fe High School shooting, restrictions on bump stocks, assault weapons and high-capacity magazines and more strident background checks would not have affected suspect Dimitrios Pagourtzis' ability to obtain weapons. And there has been no groundswell of support for gun law reform from students, with some Santa Fe students openly rejecting gun control as a method of preventing further incidents.