San Antonio – The murder trial of Malik Pryor has been postponed as questions about his mental competency arise. Pryor faces serious charges in connection with the death of his neighbor, Jarrod Anthony Papen, who was found dead in May 2022. Authorities report that Papen, 39, was allegedly strangled with an electrical cord in Pryor’s apartment, following a series of disputes between the two men.
During a court hearing on Monday, Pryor’s defense attorney, Lorraine Efron, argued for a new mental health evaluation of her client. Efron pointed out that Pryor, a former high school football player, had suffered multiple concussions that could have impacted his mental health. “He does have a history with mental illness. He’s actually a high school football player that suffered many concussions,” she stated.
In previous evaluations, Pryor had been considered competent to stand trial, but he was required to take psychotropic medications for his condition. However, Efron expressed concerns that Pryor had not been compliant with his medication while in jail and had refused to take them altogether. She suggested that this non-compliance may have led to a regression in his mental health status.
When questioned by Judge Joel Perez about his medication, Pryor contended that a nurse had stopped him from receiving his drugs, though it was unclear if this claim was accurate. Emphasizing the need for the case to progress, Judge Perez called for another evaluation but insisted on the urgency of moving forward. “I just need things to be done so this gentleman can have his day in court,” he noted.
For now, the trial remains on hold as the court awaits the results of the new evaluation. If convicted, Pryor could face a life sentence in prison.
