A judge suspended criminal proceedings on June 8 for a man suspected of murder when he allegedly pushed a man into a train at the Old Town Trolley Station. His attorney told the judge he doubted he was mentally competent.

The proceedings against Ryan Michael Rukstelis, 26, who is charged with killing Martin Andara, 68, will be on hold while Rukstelis undergoes a mental evaluation while in jail.

San Diego Superior Court Judge Michael Groch was legally obligated to suspend criminal proceedings once the man’s attorney said he doubted his client could understand what was going on in court. Rukstelis was to have faced a preliminary hearing on June 8, but that has now been put off until the mental issue is decided.

Another judge will make a ruling on Aug. 18 as to whether Rukstelis is mentally competent to understand court proceedings if the psychiatric evaluations are finished. If he is found incompetent, he would likely be sent to a mental hospital for treatment.

On Jan. 1, around 6:15 a.m., someone pushed Andara into a moving train as it arrived at the Old Town Trolley Station. The train didn’t run over Andara, but it was still moving and he died at the scene.

Deputy District Attorney Scott Pirrello said Andara was on his way to work and described the incident as “a random, unprovoked attack.” Rukstelis fled on foot and was arrested nine hours later on Park Boulevard by San Diego Police.

Rukstelis remains in the George Bailey Detention Facility without bail.