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Bronx man accused in teen's bus stop killing plans insanity defense
By
Charles Lane
Published May 22, 2026
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By
Charles Lane
Published May 22, 2026
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The Bronx man accused of fatally stabbing a 14-year-old boy who was waiting for a school bus last year plans to mount an insanity defense after a judge declared him mentally fit for trial, his attorney said.
Waldo Mejia, 29, spent roughly seven months at the Kirby Forensic Psychiatric Center after a judge found him unfit to stand trial in March 2025. A judge declared him fit for trial in October and Mejia returned to Rikers Island, where he has been ever since. He was arraigned Thursday on a new indictment charging him with second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter, attempted murder, assault and weapons possession, the Bronx district attorney's office said.
Mejia's attorney, Patrick Brackley, said he will not contest the fitness finding. Instead, he plans to pursue a not guilty by reason of insanity plea, which if successful would send Mejia to a secure psychiatric facility rather than prison.
"I am still going to challenge his mental capacity at the time of the crime," Brackley said. He added that Mejia is now "lucid and he's assisting me in his defense at this point."
Prosecutors said Mejia approached 14-year-old Caleb Rijos as the teen waited for a bus on Lincoln Avenue and 138th Street in Mott Haven on Jan. 10, 2025, and stabbed him several times in the chest. Rijos called his father for help, then collapsed in the street. A good Samaritan flagged down an ambulance. Rijos was pronounced dead at Lincoln Hospital.
Five days earlier, prosecutors said, Mejia followed a 38-year-old man into the 6 train station at 138th Street and Alexander Avenue in Mott Haven and stabbed him in the arm, severing his brachial artery. The man was admitted to intensive care and required multiple surgeries.
Mejia, who has schizophrenia, according to his family, had a documented history of mental health interactions with police before the killing. In the months before Rijos' death, Mejia's family said they had asked his mental health provider to have him involuntarily committed because he had stopped taking his medication. They said they were told it was not possible.
Brackley said Mejia's family has remained interested in the case but has not been attending court. Members of Rijos' family could not be reached for comment.
Mejia is due back in Bronx Supreme Court on Aug. 18.
Tagged
bronx
courts
crime
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Charles Lane
Charles is a Day-of reporter focused on breaking news and enterprise. He’s very friendly and can be reached at [email protected], or more securely on whatsapp/signal 631-295-6715
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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