Joseph Bova was off his meds.
To say that of the accused killer of store clerk Zuheili Roman Rosado at a Palm Coast gas station in 2013 is not a metaphor, an exaggeration or a put-down. Today, when Bova appeared before Circuit Judge Dennis Craig for the first time in nine months, it was a fact: he had not been taking his psychotropic medication at the Flagler County jail. He had not been doing anything but remain on his bunk, sleeping.
It showed. In his last appearance in July, he was trim, almost shaven, had a crew cut and was vivacious enough to keep his head up and speak briefly, politely and somewhat normally to the judge (Matthew Foxman was on the bench in Flagler then). His lawyer, Ray Warren, even said he could be ready for trial later in summer. He wasn’t.
When Bova walked into court this afternoon, he looked like a wild creature brought in from the wilderness: exploding hair, unkempt beard, baggy eyes he kept closed most of the time, head bent, back bent. He looked as if he would have shuffled even without leg shackles. And that was the better part of him today. When he spoke, it got worse.
On several occasions, he threatened Craig that he would be killed in a matter of seconds, that four people in the building would die, that he was being held hostage and that the judge had only one choice: to let him go, or else. Craig was asking him simple questions, among them whether Bova himself felt competent to go to trial. Bova would not answer them. He’d repeat his threats, or make incomprehensible statements as he stood next to Warren.
“Sir I’m threatening your life,” he told the judge at one point.
“As I understand he’s not taking his medication in jail,” Assistant State Attorney Mark Johnson told the judge.
Warren has been trying for months to get Bova again declared incompetent to stand trial. The state had initially resisted, particularly last summer, when Bova acted more rationally, and after he had spent a stint in a state psychiatric facility. There, the question of his competence had revolved around Bova’s authenticity. Prosecutors doubted that he was truly incompetent. Rather, that he purposefully acted strangely in order to prolong his stay at the psychiatric facility, or to delay his trial. All along, he’d make allegations that people who would try to help him would be harmed–not by him, but by someone, or something. Today, he threatened harm himself.
When Craig opened his conversation by asking Bova how he was, Bova at first said he was “pretty good, sir,” before immediately correcting himself. “Actually, not so good.” He then spoke of an “emergency going on,” and “some kind of game that’s very important.” He said he had to be let out to deal with the emergency.
Craig asked Bova why he continues to refuse to talk to a doctor, as he has at the county jail.
“There’s no need to talk to a doctor,” Boval said.
“So you voluntarily decided not to talk to the doctor?” the judge asked.
“Do you understand what the counsel is saying today about finding you incompetent?” the judge asked.
“Oh, sir, that’s just an irrelevant practice that’s trying to delay things,” he said.
“So you’d rather not be found incompetent?”
“I’m looking for a bail immediately,” Bova replied, “or there’s going to be a serious problem.”
The judge repeated his question about competency.
Long silence. Then: “Sir there’s going to be a death to at last four people in this building,” he said, if the judge didn’t let him out.
When Craig asked him if he at least understood what he was asking him, Bova repeated that he was being held hostage. Asked again, he told the judge: “You have seven seconds to respond the way you’re supposed to, sir.”
“All right, let me ask you again,” a patient Craig said, “do you think this issue of competency or incompetency–”
“There’ a death toll to at least four more of your council friends if you do not respond responsibly the way you’re supposed to,” Bova replied. A sheriff’s deputy stood two feet behind him, three others stood in a corner, closer to the judge, though they did not look any more alarmed than the judge. The room was full of people waiting their turn in an afternoon of pre-trials, jaws closer to the ground than usual for a court audience.
He refused to answer questions, calling them “irrelevant.” He then got rude, questioning the judge for not responding to his own questions. But at that point, the judge said he’d agree to declare him incompetent for now.
What that means is that for the first time in over a year, Bova will return to a psychiatric hospital, where he may be forced to take medication, even if it takes injections against his will. The local jail could not do so without doctors’ orders, nor would it want to expose itself to liability. In one instance, he was Baker Acted from the jail, thus ensuring that he would be medicated, at least temporarily.
The hospital is required to send a report to the judge every six months. Based on those reports, the case will be reopened, and competency again considered.
Veteran says
Put him in the looney bin and throw away the key.
Anonymous says
This guy needs an MRI/CT Scan and a thorough physical evaluation that includes extensive blood work. He looks completely changed and side effects from medications do not account for it if he hasn’t been taking medications. Something organic is going on–Either that, or he is getting his hands on some substance of his own preference while in jail.
Eric says
Not for nothing, but he looks like the Lion from the Wizard of Oz
PeachesMcGee says
He sort of resembles the comedian Carrot Top. He’s screwed in the head too, but that’s from steroids.
Anonymous says
Way to go Joe; show ’em how it’s done.
Layla says
He’s a monster.
Pcduou says
Eye for an eye
Richard Smith says
Obviously his medication isn’t working so why not try a frontal lobotomy.
Rick Belhumeur says
And we as taxpayers are paying for his welfare. How fair is that?
The Ghost of America says
His face and the width and shape of his nose/brow area reminds me a lot of fetal alcohol syndrome, and if that’s the case then he’s not the genius criminal that fcso claims he is. He’s probably going to have a learning disability, hyperactivity issues, impulse control issues, and some pretty substantial mental health issues.
Howard Duley says
This kid is smarter than the stupid legal system. I would release him and make him a lawyer.
mark101 says
Such a waste of taxpayers money, lock him up in some mental place for life, or the guy is just playing a game acting the part of “I’m stupid”.
David Schaefer says
Send him to stark…
just the truth says
Does this nut case have any parents? He needs to go to a mental institution, not in a county jail.
Robjr says
The man was judged incompetent form the beginning.
Then he was put on drugs to make him competent?
How many experimental drugs were given to him?
Bwright says
Yes Eric I agree the cowardly lion!!!
palmcoaster says
He executed in cold blood a hard working mother of several children all under the age of 18, while she was at her duties at work in that Rte 100 and I-95 gas station convenience store. She took a mother away forever from those kids. He deserves no mercy and I believe is playing the usual disguise of insanity BS.
Mr. Bova deserves to be locked up for good….C’mon your honor do justice please!
Traveling Rep says
This is just a stunt to prolong the inevitable. I hope his lawyer did not recommend his abstinence from his meds, in hopes of this incompetence judgment. I don’t know anything about the lawyer, but with the history here, it appears that someone is advising him. Perhaps fellow inmates have advised him? Which, is more likely. The victims in this case deserve better. Zuheily was a very sweet person, I am sure that her children could do with some semblance of closure on this. God Bless her children this Easter!
Thomas says
He will con Craig.
RIPZeuheili says
Being as I had to wash away my friends blood from what this monster did, can’t we just stop this circus? Who cares if he is not right in the head? You put down a rabid dog when it attacks someone. There is no excuse do not do the same here. The longer this goes on the more we disrespect her memory.
MannyHM says
I’m in complete agreement. If I killed a totally innocent victim I should be put to death like a rabid dog; that’s balanced justice. A tilted justice that favors the ruthles killer does not deter crime, does not provide true justice, and it hurts deeply the victim’s relatives and concerned citizens.
Please note that the victim is totally innocent like in this case.
Hmmm no says
I grew up with this kid. This is 100% an act. He’s a pos but has absolutely no mentam problems
This is not an act says
I also grew up with joe. He was a very polite sweet kid. He moved to Florida about a year before this all went down because he was very paranoid and thought ppl were after him. I spoke with him on the phone 2 times while he was down there and both times did not make much sense. As a experienced medical provider and and old friend joe definitely had a schizophrenic break (which typically comes on in mid 20’s in men). He needs serious mental health help.
Oldest Daughter of Zuheily says
This is my mother who we are speaking about!!!!!! To everyone who thinks this is a joke or in some type of way it should be a slap on the hand! My mother was a hard working woman who was dedicated to her job and children. She didn’t deserved being murdered cold blooded. We were waiting for our mother to come home to us after her long day at work and our long day in school. I appreciate the judicial system for what they are doing but I’m not satisfied…while Bova is in and out of the courtroom thinking he’s in acting class my mother is 6 feet under ground and justice has not been served. It’s 2017 now and till this day I feel that her memory has not been respected. Now a days every murderer is incompetent and crazy. While they play the competent or incompetent justice is not being served and my siblings and I have no closure! No one knows all what we had to go through….Yet he is getting sympathy!!! WE WANT JUSTICE!!!
The Game Continues says
To the family
First I am so sorry for your loss, and 2nd I am sorry that you have to deal with Mr. Bova. I knew of him, and have had dealings with him in the past. Let me assure you that he is a slick individual, a manipulator and a conartist.
With my dealings with him, he would do and say anything in hopes of not having to deal with the consequences of his actions. He intilligent, and he uses his skills to decieve and in hopes of evading any responsbility.
I had hoped that by this time, he would of gone to trial and been forced to face the consequences. There is no question that you, and your family, as well as your Mom, deserve resolution. But I will tell you that the final resolution that you seek may not happen. The Outcome of his final disposition in life may not be exactly what you want. Let it be known however that he is at the very least behind bars for the moment.
It may be another year before trial begins, if at all. The Judicial system will finally catch up, and hoepfully everyone who is monitering his so called disturbed state of mental instability is a game, and those that watch over him catch on and begin to move forward to a final outcome.
Higher powers are overseeing this, lets hope the game comes to an end.
Nunya says
He is a threat to everyone around him. He should be sentenced like anyone else who has committed such an unspeakable crime!