Man accused of ax attack pleads not guilty by reason of insanity
A Las Vegas man accused of using a battle ax to kill a 4-month-old boy and critically injure the boy's mother pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity Monday.
A trial date for Harold Montague was set for June 14, 2011, by District Judge Stefany Miley. Montague faces charges that include first-degree murder and could face the death penalty if convicted.
Authorities allege that on Feb. 11, Montague killed the infant, Damian Avila Castro, and critically injured the boy's mother, Sandra Castro, outside Montague's house on San Pedro Avenue, near Sahara Avenue and Maryland Parkway.
Montague, who was supposed to be caring for his mentally and physically disabled sister-in-law, Monica O'Dazier, first stabbed her 20 times in their house, authorities said.
He then ran outside and attacked Castro and her son, authorities said.
Before he was taken into custody, Montague attacked a police officer, authorities said.
Police eventually subdued him with a Taser.
During a preliminary hearing held in April, Castro, Montague's neighbor Teresa Garner and several police officers identified Montague as the attacker.
Montague's defense attorney, deputy public defender Norm Reed, said his client is criminally insane.
Reed has said a doctor for the defense diagnosed Montague as severely delusional.
Reed also has said Montague exhibited bizarre and unusual behavior in the weeks leading up to the attack.
During the preliminary hearing, Montague's wife, Erricca , testified that her husband had not slept for at least three days before the attack and that he was not properly eating or hydrating himself.
She said she would wake up at night to find him pacing in their house.
Reed has said he is hoping Montague will spend the rest of his life in a prison where he can address his mental health issues.
Montague is charged with one count of murder with a deadly weapon, two counts of attempted murder and battery, and an additional count of battery on a police officer.
Montague is being held without bail at the Clark County Detention Center. He is being housed separately from other inmates, Reed said.
Contact reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@
reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039.
