Charges dismissed against North Carolina teen accused of decapitating mom
FRANKLIN COUNTY, North Carolina -- Charges have been dropped against a North Carolina teenager who allegedly admitted to decapitating his mother because he "felt like it," the sheriff's office said.
On Wednesday, District Attorney Michael Waters released a statement that said, "The Court, after reviewing the report prepared by mental health professionals at Central Regional Hospital, determined that the defendant did not have the capacity to proceed."
The charges were dismissed with leave so if he is found to be capable of proceeding, he will be recharged with first-degree murder.
Machado will be committed to Central Regional Hospital for mental health treatment and further evaluation.
The gruesome murder happened March 6 at a home on Morgan Drive just south of U.S. Highway 64. The area is east of Zebulon - near the Wake County line, in a normally quiet corner of Franklin County.
Franklin County Sheriff's Office Chief of Staff Terry Wright said Machado, 18, called 911 himself and was still on the scene when deputies arrived.
He allegedly told investigators he killed his mother, Yesenia, 35, because "he felt like it."
According to court documents, Machado took four different medications for psychosis and schizophrenia.
In May, the Franklin County district attorney decided to not seek the death penalty in Machado's case.
