Just three days after being cleared of prosecution under California’s Mental Health Reuse Act, a man from Napa has allegedly committed a violent murder, raising significant concerns about a system designed to protect public safety.
On Tuesday, prosecutors in Napa County charged 36-year-old Ramiro Ochoa Mendoza with the murder of 47-year-old Noel Buttores, whose body was discovered under a bridge on July 3.
Mendoza has a prior record of criminal activity and a history of failing to comply with probation. Earlier this year, he was found mentally incompetent to stand trial for misdemeanors, including violating a restraining order and resisting arrest.
Despite the defense’s efforts to have the case dismissed entirely, the court mandated a mental health diversion program that, following legislative guidelines, allowed Mendoza to be released while still under supervision related to the remaining misdemeanor charges.
However, he failed to show up for a scheduled review of the mental health transition and was declared non-compliant with the program’s requirements.
“Mendoza couldn’t attend court right away due to a mental health re-evaluation and was found lacking in compliance with the program,” stated the Napa County District Attorney’s Office.
While he faced multiple violations, the court was obligated to dismiss the charges because of Mendoza’s mental health status and the minor nature of his offenses.
“The law prevents defendants from continuing if deemed incompetent on a single misdemeanor, so the court dismissed both remaining cases without options on July 8, 2025,” the DA’s office explained.
This outcome follows recent legislative changes, particularly Senate Bill 317, which prohibits restoring litigation rights solely based on minor misdemeanors, even if the defendant shows signs of taking further actions.
Mendoza was re-arrested on July 11 and is now confronting murder charges alongside intensifying concerns linked to his past offenses and the alleged brutality surrounding Buttores’s death.
The situation has prompted discussions about the limitations of mental health protections and their implications for public safety.
“This case underscores how recent legal reforms affect real-world outcomes, where courts must prioritize traditional prosecutions, regardless of a defendant’s willingness or constraints within the mandated programs,” remarked Napa County Deputy District Attorney Katie Sssemir.
A GoFundMe campaign has been established to assist with the return of Buttores’s remains to Guatemala, where he had lived for 26 years.
“Noel wasn’t perfect, but he had a wonderful, caring spirit,” the page states. “We want to send him back home one last time to be seen by his loved ones before he is laid to rest.”
Mendoza is currently held without bail at the Napa County Department of Corrections.
