Nicolas Guaman Found Competent

WORCESTER — A Superior Court judge found Nicolas Dutan Guaman competent to be tried in the death of Matthew Denice, a Milford resident who was killed in 2011 while riding his motorcycle.

Judge Janet Kenton-Walker ruled from the bench Tuesday that Guaman has reached the legal standard for competency at this time — "a reasonable degree of rational understanding" — and is able to work with his attorneys on his defense.

The decision ended more than a year of uncertainty, as the issue of Guaman's competency first was raised by his attorneys in 2012. In recent months, on Fenton-Walker's order, Guaman has had education in the American legal system by an attorney hired by his lawyers, as well as the assistance of a Quechua interpreter.

Guaman, an Ecuadorian citizen, speaks the Inca-based language, Quechua, as a primary language, not Spanish. Initially, he spoke with his attorneys and listened in court with the help of a Spanish language interpreter.

Denice, 23, was a recent graduate of Framingham State University and a Milford resident. He was struck on Aug. 20, 2011 while riding his motorcycle on Congress Street, then police say, he was dragged a distance in the road when the driver failed to stop.

Guaman, arrested that night after attempting to flee the area, is now charged with second-degree murder and several other felony offenses.

Following the brief hearing at Worcester Superior Court, the mother and brother of Denice said they were pleased with the judge's decision, and hoped the case would continue to trial, rather than a negotiated plea.

"I hope we can get to the trial in April," said Maureen Maloney, Denice's mother. The past two years, three months have been draining, she said, but she wants to see the defendant sentenced to the maximum amount.

"I would prefer to see a trial and play this out to the end, rather than make a deal, yes," she said, when asked by a reporter about her feelings on a plea deal. "We're putting all of our faith in the judicial system."